Antoine Semenyo is keen to play for England at the 2026 World Cup. Had things gone differently, he could have played for the Three Lions in the United States this summer.
Manchester City star Semenyo, 26, will be heading to the biggest sporting event on the planet as one of Ghana’s most valuable assets. It’s been almost four years since the winger joined the Black Stars as a senior, and since then he has developed into one of the team’s most valuable players.
This summer, Semenho will play against his country of origin in Group L, along with Croatia and Panama. In retrospect, the Football Association may regret not pursuing the £64m man more thoroughly.
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“I’ve never been in the England rankings like that anyway,” he told The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. “I was 20 or 21 years old when I came to Ghana? And you can’t turn down playing for the Ghanaian first team, so it was a very easy decision.”
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Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo’s loyalty could be wavered if England were to close in. But one member of his family was more relieved than anyone that the call never came.
Recalling his first cap for Ghana in May 2022, Semenyo said: “My dad was really happy to celebrate. He was like, ‘Yeah, you’re not playing for England!'”
“The whole family was very happy. They are rooting for Ghana…I couldn’t even tell them. They were watching the game and it was crazy. They were screaming and kicking things in the house. It’s serious.”
Semenyo is looking forward to the World Cup showdown with England on June 23 (Image: ALL OUT FOOTBALL)
Semenyo’s father Larry was a soccer player himself, playing in Ghana’s top division. He even ranked alongside Tony Yeboah, who went down as one of the best finishers the African continent has ever produced.
The Black Stars are not getting carried away as Semenyo insists the immediate focus is to move on from their group. And he probably has at least a few relatives in America who can support him.
Asked if his family would be out to watch him play, he said, “I think so, yeah.” “Your father and mother will probably be there. Your uncles and aunts will probably be there too. There will be a lot of them.”
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Asked if he expected to play England in the second group match, he replied: “Yes, it will be a tough game, but yes.”
The only previous meeting between England and Ghana was a friendly in 2011 that ended 1-1. Thomas Tuchel’s side made it through qualification unscathed, but Semenyo and his teammates will be delighted to pull off one of the shocks of the World Cup when they face off at Gillette Stadium on June 23.
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