By OkayGoal 
In-form Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has expressed optimism about the Black Stars chances as the team gears up for the 2026 World Cup tournament, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The West African football heavyweights are paired in Group L alongside European giants England, 2018 finalists, Croatia and Panama at the global showpiece.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before taking on England on June 23 in Boston. Ghana will wrap up their group games against 2018 finalists, Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Semenyo, the most in-form Ghanaian player has affirmed the Black Stars can compete with the best at the tournament.
“We want to show people around the world that Ghana is one of the top nations and we can compete with the best,” Semenyo told CBS Sports.
“There’s been a bit of small talk [with English players], but as Ghanaians, we know it’s going to be a bit of a challenge,” he admitted. “They are a star-studded team. They have so many top-class players, but we believe in ourselves.”
The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded 48-team format, giving Africa a record nine automatic slots.
It will be Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, having previously competed in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022, with their best performance coming in 2010 when they reached the quarterfinals.