Five Ghana players England must watch at World Cup

Ghana's World Cup campaign began with a dramatic last-gasp victory over Panama, raising hopes of a first knockout-stage appearance since their quarter-final run in 2010. The Black Stars, however, had a troubled build-up: coach Otto Addo was dismissed just 72 days before the tournament following a string of poor results. Experienced Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz was drafted in to take charge for his fifth successive World Cup, having previously led Portugal and Iran.

England face Ghana on 23 June at 21:00 BST in a crucial Group stage match. BBC Sport looks at five key players England need to watch out for.

Antoine Semenyo: The star man

Club: Manchester City
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Caps: 35
Goals: 3

When discussing this Ghana squad, it would be remiss not to start with their star man, Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo. He arrived at the World Cup fresh from finishing third in the Premier League's Golden Boot standings for 2025-26 after scoring 17 goals across spells at Bournemouth and Manchester City. Semenyo fitted in seamlessly at Etihad Stadium after his £65m January move and helped the club win two trophies, scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final.

Genuinely two-footed, over the past two Premier League campaigns he has had 103 shots with his left foot and 95 with his right, and played equal minutes across both wings. It is therefore a real anomaly that he has only scored three goals in 35 internationals for Ghana, and just one in his past 28 caps. His journey from non-league to the World Cup is a remarkable story.

Caleb Yirenkyi: The rising midfield star

Club: Nordsjaelland
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 12
Goals: 2

One of Europe's sought-after young midfielders, Yirenkyi added to his valuation when he scored a 94th-minute winner in Ghana's opening match against Panama. Former Black Stars coach Addo used the box-to-box midfielder out of position at right-back, but new boss Queiroz has restored the 20-year-old to the position in which he has excelled at club level.

Among midfielders in the Danish top flight in 2025-26, Yirenkyi led the way for possession won in the opposition's final third (26) and ball recoveries (205), while he ranked third across all players for successful passes in the opposition half (881). A keen student as a child, he won Ghana's 2019 National RiSE Robotics Championship at age 13.

Jordan Ayew: Record-breaking captain

Club: Unattached
Age: 34
Position: Forward/Attacking midfielder
Caps: 121
Goals: 34

Ayew became Ghana's record cap holder in their opening match against Panama, overtaking the previous mark of 120 set by his brother Andre. When Jordan was made captain in 2025 he said it was "written in the stars," as he joined both his legendary father Abedi Pele and his brother in having led the Black Stars.

Chasing his first World Cup goal at his third tournament, Ayew has scored 14 times in his past 22 caps — including a hat-trick in qualifying against Central African Republic. He actually scored more goals in qualifying for this World Cup (seven in 10) than he did for Leicester City in 2025-26 (six in 45). The Foxes released him after being relegated for the second successive season.

Brandon Thomas-Asante: The versatile forward

Club: Coventry City
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Caps: 9
Goals: 1

The versatile forward, who can play anywhere along the frontline, forced his way into Ghana's World Cup squad after an impressive season at Coventry. He scored 13 goals in their Championship title-winning campaign, behind only Haji Wright among his team-mates.