Semenyo, Partey named in Ghana squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey were included in the Ghana squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as coach Carlos Queiroz left it to the last minute to finalise his 26-man selection.

Ghana face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday in a friendly before flying to North America for their fifth World Cup appearance, where they are in a tough Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama.

The midfield includes Villarreal’s Partey, 32, who is due to stand trial in the UK at a later date on rape and sexual assault charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Veteran Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars, who will be without Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus because of injury.

The 26-year-old Semenyo scored 11 goals in 27 games for City after moving from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5 million (72 million euros).

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico kicks off on June 11, with Ghana facing Panama in their opener six days later.

Ghana squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)

Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)

Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester)

READ: South Korea defender Cho Wi-je gets late World Cup 2026 call

Manchester City win race to sign Antoine Semenyo

Manchester City added to their attacking arsenal on Friday with the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for a reported £65 million ($87 million).

The 26-year-old, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham were amongst the other clubs interested in the London-born Ghana international, who had a buyout clause that would reportedly expire on Saturday.

“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” said Semenyo.

“I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.”

His final act after three years with the Cherries was scoring a stoppage-time winner to beat Tottenham 3-2 and end an 11-game winless run on Wednesday.

Manchester City are hoping Antoine Semenyo can boost their challenge for silverware on four fronts in 2026.

Pep Guardiola’s men trail Arsenal by six points at the top of the Premier League and have FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League fixtures in the coming weeks.

READ: Pakistan seamer Mohammad Ali joins Nottinghamshire