Antoine Semenyo on In The Mixer
Antoine Semenyo is ready to square off against England at World Cup 2026 after he could have represented the Three Lions(Image: ALL OUT FOOTBALL)
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Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo is looking forward to facing England at World Cup 2026. That's despite the fact he could have been heading to the United States in white this summer had things panned out differently.
Semenyo, 26, will travel to the biggest sporting event of the year as one of Ghana's crown jewels. It's been almost exactly four years since the winger made his senior debut for the Black Stars and he's since evolved to become one of the team's greatest assets.
This summer will see Semenyo square off against his birth country, as well as Croatia and Panama in Group L. Looking back now, the Football Association may wish it showed a little more diligence in its recruiting after overlooking the £64million man.
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"I was never in the England rankings like that anyway," he told In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. "Ghana came [when I was] 20, 21? And I can't turn down playing first team for Ghana, so it was such an easy decision."
Born in London to Ghanaian parents, there was a major risk of Semenyo's head being turned if his birth country came calling. However, there was one member of his family who has happier than most the phone never rang.
Speaking about his first Ghana cap in May 2022, Semenyo said: "My dad was so happy, celebrating. He was like, ‘Yeah, you don’t play for England!’
"Everyone in my family was so happy. They support Ghana...I couldn't even tell you. They watch games and it’s crazy. Shouting, kicking stuff in the house. It’s serious."
Antoine Semenyo of Ghana looks on ahead of an international friendly match between Austria and Ghana at Ernst Happel Stadion
Semenyo has emerged as one of Ghana's leading stars in recent years(Image: Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
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Semenyo's father, Larry, was a footballer himself and played in Ghana's top flight. He even shared the field with Tony Yeboah, who etched his name in the history books as one of the greatest finishers Africa has produced.
The Black Stars aren't getting ahead of themselves in that Semenyo says the first priority is progressing out of their group. And he'll have at least a couple of loved ones stateside to cheer him on.
"I imagine so, yeah," he replied when asked if family will be flying out to watch him in action. "Mum and dad will be there, for sure. Uncles, aunties, they'll probably be there too. There'll be loads of them."
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Asked whether he was looking forward to facing England in the second group game, he replied: "Yeah. It's gonna be tough but yeah."
The only previous meeting between England and Ghana was a 2011 friendly that ended as a 1-1 draw. Despite Thomas Tuchel's side coming through qualifying without a scratch, Semenyo and co would delight in staging one of the surprises of the World Cup when they meet at Gillette Stadium come June 23.