Ghanaian prodigy Antoine Semenyo is making strides at his new club, Manchester City. He scored in his debut and assisted during his side’s game against Exeter City.

According to statistics, he has notched 12 Premier League goals this season and 14 for Man City, with a recent one in a clash against Wolves.

With his impressive form at his new club, Ghana’s former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye says he is hopeful that Semenyo can replicate his club form for the Black Stars as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.

Speaking during an interview with Citi Sports on Thursday, February 5, the National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) stated that the striker still has more to prove in national colours.

“I would just pray that he’s able to transfer whatever he’s doing with Manchester City to the Black Stars… up to now, he’s not been able to convince Ghanaians so much about his prolific performance when it comes to the Black Stars.”

Since making his Ghana debut in 2022, Semenyo has featured at the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 AFCON, earning 32 caps and scoring three goals.

He continued that Semenyo’s roots in England could be a big motivation for him to outdo himself during England’s game with Ghana Black Stars.

“You know he was born in England, and I think it is good… that is enough motivation for him to perform better when he plays the English,” he added

With the World Cup drawing closer, attention is steadily turning to Semenyo and his Black Stars teammates as Ghana looks to make a strong impression on the global stage.

In a related development, Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo is expected to release the final squad list for the 2026 World Cup in June next year.

This was confirmed by the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, in an interview with Accra-based radio station Asempa FM on December 15. He stated that ahead of the official squad announcement, a provisional list is expected to be released by all qualified nations on May 11, with the final squad to be released on June 1.

“All qualified teams, including the Black Stars of Ghana, are mandated by FIFA to announce their provisional squad on April 11, 2026. The final squads for the tournament must be announced before midnight on June 1, 2026,” he said.

He added that Ghanaian players performing well domestically or abroad will all be considered for selection.

“Every Ghanaian player with a strong performance is closely monitored by the technical team, and regardless of where they play, they will be given a call-up,” Asante Twum noted.

Drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, Ghana will be looking to improve on previous campaigns at the global tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England in Boston on June 23. Their final group match against Croatia is scheduled for June 27 in Philadelphia.

Next year’s tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest stage, having previously competed in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The team’s most memorable run came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Ghana’s World Cup campaign will begin against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents its 5th appearance at the global tournament, having previously competed in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The Black Stars’ most memorable run came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

They will open the tournament with a clash with Panama on 17 June, take on England on 23 June, and conclude the group stage against Croatia with their matches scheduled to be held in Toronto, Foxborough, and Philadelphia.

The Black Stars are set to play against England, Croatia, and Panama. This was revealed after the group draw was conducted on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C, The high-profile ceremony attended by notable attendees, including President Donald, entertainers like Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and sports icons like Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Rio Ferdinand and Ghana’s legendary footballer, Asamoah Gyan.

Speaking during a media engagement, the former Ghanaian footballer expressed optimism about the team’s chances in the group. He acknowledged that although it is a bit tricky, he is confident Ghana will make it through successfully.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has announced a new twist in supporters' sponsorship by the government for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Past governments have mostly offered some form of financial support, be it full or partial, for supporters who travel to attend the World Cup. However, it has become a challenge over the years due to financial constraints.

Consequently, in early November last year, Kofi Adams noted that, although it has been a long-standing practice, he “doesn’t recommend” it.

However, in a recent radio interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show in Accra on February 5, he acknowledged the tradition of sponsoring fans to support the Black Stars, adding that it is for that reason that his outfit has set up a fundraising committee.

“The policy that we should take for fans is clear. It is clear that we should work at it, and that is why we have set up a fundraising committee. The number we would take ultimately will depend on how much we raise,” he stated.

He explained that the government seeks to sponsor some Ghanaian fans for the 2026 World Cup so Ghana will have strong support at the tournament.