Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has urged caution ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the Black Stars must not take Panama lightly as they prepare for a tough group-stage campaign.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, Croatia, and England, with their opening match scheduled for June 17 in Toronto against Panama. While many fans see the clash with England as the biggest test, Semenyo believes the first game could be just as important in shaping Ghana’s tournament journey.
Speaking ahead of the competition, the Manchester City attacker made it clear that there are no easy games at this level and warned his teammates not to assume victory will come easily against Panama.
“It’s a tough group because you can’t underestimate Panama,” Semenyo said. “You think it’s easy, but it’s not that easy. It will be a tough game; they won’t be a pushover.”
Ghana will also face Croatia, a team known for their strong tournament experience, and England, one of the favourites in world football. Semenyo acknowledged the difficulty of the group but stressed that Ghana’s main focus is to qualify for the knockout stage.
“Croatia and England are obviously top teams,” he added. “Trying to get out of the group is what we want essentially, but it’s not going to be easy at all.”
The forward, who also plays for , is expected to be one of the key attacking players for the Black Stars. His pace, strength, and direct style of play will be crucial as Ghana aim to compete against some of the strongest teams in the world.
Semenyo also reflected on his journey, noting that he chose to represent Ghana despite being eligible to play for England. He has already experienced a World Cup tournament after featuring in Qatar 2022, and he is now preparing for another major global appearance.
“It’s going to be tough, but yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Ghana head into the tournament with a squad that is still developing, blending experienced players with younger talents. There is a sense of rebuilding, but also strong ambition to go beyond the group stage this time.
Semenyo admitted that the team will face challenges, especially with some key players unavailable or still developing, but he believes unity and focus will be key.
For Ghana, the World Cup represents another chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage after mixed performances in recent tournaments. The Black Stars will be aiming to recapture the spirit of their strong World Cup runs in the past and make a deeper impact in 2026.
As preparations continue, Semenyo’s message is clear: Ghana must respect every opponent, stay disciplined, and treat each match as a final if they want to progress.
With Panama first on the list, the Black Stars know that a strong start could set the tone for a successful campaign.
