Ghana forward, Antoine Semenyo, says the Black Stars are determined to make a strong impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the disappointment of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Manchester City attacker admitted the failure to qualify for AFCON was difficult for both the players and supporters.
However, he believes the team has responded positively and is now focused on securing a place at the World Cup and competing against the best teams in the world.
“We were so frustrated that we didn’t qualify for the AFCON. It was very, very tough,” Semenyo said. “But I feel like we’ve rectified that in terms of qualifying for the World Cup.”
The 26-year-old added that Ghana’s ambition goes beyond simply participating in the tournament. According to him, the players are confident they can challenge top nations if they stay united and focused.
“But we’re not just coming to the World Cup, we want to compete on all levels,” he stated while speaking in an interview with FIFA.
Ghana has shown signs of improvement in recent months following criticism after the AFCON qualifying campaign.
Semenyo has been one of Ghana’s key performers in Europe this season, scoring 16 goals with 4 assists, making a combined goal contribution of 20 in 35 league-match appearances.
His impressive displays for Bournemouth and Manchester City in the English Premier League have earned praise from fans and football analysts.
His energy, strength and attacking ability have also made him an important figure in the national team.
The forward believes the current squad has the quality and mentality to compete with the world’s best teams if they play with confidence and enjoy themselves on the pitch.
“For us, we can compete with these teams. It’s just about winning games, having fun and showing the nation what we can do,” he added.
