Antoine Semenyo has described the intense expectations placed upon him when representing Ghana national football team, as the country prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana confirmed their place at the tournament in October following a 1-0 victory over Comoros national football team at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Black Stars are now set to compete in their fifth World Cup finals, with Semenyo expected to feature in his second consecutive tournament after appearing at the 2022 edition.
The 26-year-old forward has been in strong form at club level, impressing during his time with Manchester City as well as in previous spells at AFC Bournemouth. However, he has found it more difficult to translate those performances onto the international stage, scoring three goals for Ghana since 2022.
Speaking on the All About Football podcast, Semenyo acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with playing for a nation where football holds deep cultural significance.
“In Ghana, the expectation is every ball I touch has to be in the back of the net. If it’s not, you’re crap. That’s how they are. They love football over there. Football is everything,”
His role within the national team has been a subject of ongoing debate among supporters and analysts. Questions have been raised about how best to utilise his abilities, with some attributing his limited goal return to tactical decisions under former head coach Otto Addo.
Addo was relieved of his duties on 31 March, with Carlos Queiroz taking over the position. The managerial change is expected to bring a fresh approach ahead of the World Cup campaign, potentially offering Semenyo an opportunity to establish himself more effectively within the team.
Ghana will begin their preparations with a friendly against Wales national football team on 2 June. The match is seen as an important step in fine-tuning the squad before the tournament begins.
The Black Stars are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Panama national football team on 17 June. They will then face England national football team and Croatia national football team in subsequent group fixtures.
As Ghana looks ahead to the global tournament, Semenyo’s reflections underline the pressures faced by players representing one of Africa’s most passionate footballing nations, where expectations remain consistently high.
