Antoine Semenyo has openly acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting Ghana when they come up against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the forward insists the Black Stars are ready to rise to the occasion.
Drawn into a demanding Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, Ghana faces one of their toughest group-stage tests in recent World Cup history.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Semenyo admitted there has already been some friendly banter with English players ahead of the highly anticipated encounter. “There’s been a bit of small talk [with English players], but as Ghanaians, we know it’s going to be a bit of a challenge,” he said. His words reflect a sense of realism rather than fear, underlining Ghana’s respect for their opponents while maintaining belief in their own quality.
England, widely regarded as one of the tournament favorites, boast a squad filled with elite talent from Europe’s top leagues. Semenyo did not shy away from praising their strength. “They are a star-studded team. They have so many top class players,” he acknowledged. However, the Ghanaian forward was quick to emphasize that reputation alone will not decide the outcome. “But we believe in ourselves,” he added confidently.
Semenyo’s confidence mirrors the growing belief within the Ghana camp as preparations intensify for the tournament. The Black Stars are eager to make a strong impression and move past recent World Cup disappointments. Ghana have failed to progress beyond the group stage in their last two appearances, and the 2026 tournament represents an opportunity to rewrite that narrative.Remove ads
The Black Stars will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama, a fixture that could prove crucial in setting the tone for the group. That opening match will be followed by a highly anticipated clash with England before Ghana round off their group games against Croatia later in June. Each fixture presents its own challenges, but Ghana are determined to approach them with confidence and ambition.
For Semenyo, who continues to grow in stature at both club and international level, the World Cup is a platform to showcase Ghana’s talent and competitiveness on the global stage. His leadership and belief could be pivotal as the Black Stars look to remind the footballing world of their pedigree.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, one thing is clear: Ghana may be underdogs on paper, but with players like Semenyo leading the charge, they are prepared to compete fearlessly against the very best.
