BBC Sport Spotlights 5 Ghana Threats Before England World Cup Clash

Q: Antoine Semenyo stars for his club but struggles for Ghana. Which version will England face?

England are likely to face the dangerous club version of Antoine Semenyo, but in a very different tactical setting: less volume, more counter-attacking menace. Semenyo arrives in outstanding form after a breakout 2025-26 season split between Bournemouth and Manchester City, where he finished with 17 Premier League goals, won two trophies and scored the FA Cup final winner. That points to a player full of confidence and capable of deciding big matches. He is also highly motivated against England, the country of his birth, having made clear he wants Ghana to “prove a point.” The caveat is his Ghana record. He has only three goals in 35 caps, with just one in his last 28 appearances, and he was relatively quiet in the win over Panama, managing only two shots and the fewest touches of any Ghana outfield player to complete the match. So England are not facing a proven international finisher in the same way they are facing a proven Premier League attacker. What changes the equation is Carlos Queiroz. Ghana’s new coach has made the side more disciplined and pragmatic, likely using a compact shape and asking Semenyo to attack space quickly rather than dominate the ball. That suits his strengths: pace, power, direct running and two-footed finishing. So the most likely version England will see is not the high-touch Manchester City creator, but a sharper, transition-focused Semenyo who may get few chances yet remains Ghana’s biggest individual threat if England leave space behind.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23

Five Ghana players were singled out as England’s main threats after the Black Stars opened their World Cup with a 94th-minute win over Panama.
Carlos Queiroz took over just 72 days before the tournament after Otto Addo’s dismissal, and that late victory has revived hopes of Ghana’s first knockout-stage appearance since 2010.
Antoine Semenyo leads the list after a 17-goal 2025-26 club season and a £65m January move to Manchester City, even though he has only 3 goals in 35 Ghana caps.
Caleb Yirenkyi, 20, scored the winner against Panama, while captain Jordan Ayew set a Ghana record with 121 caps and has 14 goals in his past 22 internationals.
Brandon Thomas-Asante earned attention after assisting off the bench, and Kamaldeen Sulemana remains a pace threat despite only 1 goal in 29 caps.