Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo has declared that the Black Stars are heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with high ambitions, determined to prove themselves among the world’s elite.
Semenyo, born in London but proudly representing Ghana, emphasized that the team is driven to carve out its own legacy following recent disappointments. Ghana will be making their fifth World Cup appearance, still inspired by their historic run to the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010—a moment Semenyo acknowledges as one of the nation’s proudest football achievements. However, he insists this generation is focused on making its own mark.
In an interview with FIFA, the 26-year-old forward affirmed that his choice to play for Ghana was straightforward, despite his upbringing in England. “My mum and dad are Ghana through and through. They never really mentioned anything about England,” he explained. “Of course, living in England, people would ask if I’d represent them, but it was never really a conversation for me.”
Semenyo recounted the joy of watching Ghana at previous World Cups with his family, describing how those experiences built a deep emotional connection to the national team. “Watching Ghana in the World Cup was incredibly special. The whole family would gather to celebrate every game—it meant everything to us,” he said.
Since making his international debut against Madagascar on June 1, 2022, Semenyo has become a key figure in Ghana’s attacking lineup. He participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Ghana exited at the group stage, a valuable experience that he believes has fueled the team’s hunger for success.
“At that time, I was still with Bristol City, so playing at the World Cup was unforgettable. Now, though, we’re all eager to show that Ghana is a top footballing nation,” he said.
Though disappointed by their failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, Semenyo insists the setback has only intensified their motivation for the World Cup. “We were frustrated not to qualify, but we’re not just going to the World Cup to participate—we want to compete at every level. We’ve got plenty of attacking talent and a killer instinct,” he asserted.
Now playing under coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana are expected to arrive at the tournament with renewed determination. Semenyo believes the Black Stars have the quality to challenge any opponent if they play to their full potential. “We want to write our own story. This team is special, and we’re ready to prove we can compete with anyone,” he concluded.
