Antoine Semenyo of Ghana looks on ahead of an international friendly match between Austria and Ghana at Ernst Happel Stadion
Antoine Semenyo has explained how overjoyed he was to be selected for Ghana ahead of birth country England(Image: Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
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Antoine Semenyo is eagerly anticipating locking horns with England at World Cup 2026. That's despite the fact he could have been lining up for the Three Lions in the United States this summer had circumstances played out differently.
Manchester City star Semenyo, 26, will head to the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet as one of Ghana's prized assets. It's been nearly four years since the winger made his senior bow for the Black Stars, and he's since grown into one of the side's most valuable players.
This summer will see Semenyo go head-to-head with his country of birth, alongside Croatia and Panama in Group L. Looking back, the Football Association may well rue not being more thorough in their pursuit of 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 every chance Semenyo's allegiances could have been swayed had England come knocking. However, one member of his family was more relieved than anyone the call never came.
Reflecting on 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 on In The Mixer
Semenyo is looking forward to his showdown against England at the World Cup come June 23(Image: ALL OUT FOOTBALL)
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Semenyo's father, Larry, was a footballer himself and featured in Ghana's top division. He even lined up alongside Tony Yeboah, who carved out his legacy as one of the finest finishers the African continent has ever produced.
The Black Stars aren't getting carried away as Semenyo insists the immediate focus is advancing from their group. And he'll have at least a handful of relatives in America to support him.
"I imagine so, yeah," he said when questioned if family will be travelling out to watch him compete. "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 anticipating the England clash in the second group fixture, he responded: "Yeah. It's gonna be tough but yeah."
The only previous encounter between England and Ghana was a 2011 friendly that finished 1-1. Despite Thomas Tuchel's squad navigating qualification unscathed, Semenyo and his team-mates would relish pulling off one of the shocks of the World Cup when they face off at Gillette Stadium on June 23.