2026 World Cup: "Stay humble and deliver for Ghana"- Marcel Desailly urges Semenyo

Former France international and World Cup winner Marcel Desailly has identified Antoine Semenyo as one of Ghana’s potential standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while urging the forward to remain grounded and fully committed to the collective objectives of the Black Stars.

Semenyo’s rise in European football has been rapid, capped by a high-profile move to Premier League champions Manchester City.

His performances have made him one of Ghana’s most influential attacking threats heading into the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where expectations are high for the Black Stars.

Desailly believes the versatile attacker has the ability to change games in critical moments and provide Ghana with a decisive edge when it matters most.

“He’s that individual player that when you are facing challenges, with one move, one run, he can allow Ghana to stay in the game,” Desailly said.

The 1998 World Cup winner stressed that Semenyo’s impact should go beyond statistics, highlighting his importance in lifting the team during difficult phases of matches. However, he cautioned that the forward must balance individual brilliance with discipline and humility.

“So he really needs to come in with humility and be that top player that can make the difference. The issue is he needs to stay disciplined even though he’s a Manchester City player and one of the stars. We need him to be one of the key players who can allow them, when they are in a difficult situation, to rise a little bit,” he added.

Desailly also pointed to the heightened pressure surrounding the Black Stars, noting that Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has intensified expectations ahead of the global tournament.

“They’ve not qualified for the African Cup of Nations, so the expectation in Ghana is very high, and also for the players, they are eager to be part of an international competition,” he said.

Ghana will be relying heavily on Semenyo as they prepare for a challenging Group L campaign against Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their tournament on June 17 before key fixtures that could determine their progression.

Under coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana will be aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time since their memorable quarter-final run in 2010, with Semenyo expected to play a central role in their attacking ambitions.Former France international and World Cup winner Marcel Desailly has identified Antoine Semenyo as one of Ghana’s potential standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while urging the forward to remain grounded and fully committed to the collective objectives of the Black Stars.

Semenyo’s rise in European football has been rapid, capped by a high-profile move to Premier League champions Manchester City. His performances have made him one of Ghana’s most influential attacking threats heading into the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where expectations are high for the Black Stars.

Desailly believes the versatile attacker has the ability to change games in critical moments and provide Ghana with a decisive edge when it matters most.

“He’s that individual player that when you are facing challenges, with one move, one run, he can allow Ghana to stay in the game,” Desailly said.

The 1998 World Cup winner stressed that Semenyo’s impact should go beyond statistics, highlighting his importance in lifting the team during difficult phases of matches. However, he cautioned that the forward must balance individual brilliance with discipline and humility.

“So he really needs to come in with humility and be that top player that can make the difference. The issue is he needs to stay disciplined even though he’s a Manchester City player and one of the stars. We need him to be one of the key players who can allow them, when they are in a difficult situation, to rise a little bit,” he added.

Desailly also pointed to the heightened pressure surrounding the Black Stars, noting that Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has intensified expectations ahead of the global tournament.

“They’ve not qualified for the African Cup of Nations, so the expectation in Ghana is very high, and also for the players, they are eager to be part of an international competition,” he said.

Ghana will be relying heavily on Semenyo as they prepare for a challenging Group L campaign against Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their tournament on June 17 before key fixtures that could determine their progression.

Under coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana will be aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time since their memorable quarter-final run in 2010, with Semenyo expected to play a central role in their attacking ambitions.