Accra: Former sports minister, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to consider the inclusion of English-born players in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking in an interview with Citi Sports, Vanderpuye stressed that calling up players with strong ties to English football could give Ghana a significant psychological advantage, especially against the Three Lions at the World Cup.
According to Ghana Web, Vanderpuye emphasized the potential benefits of fielding players such as Antoine Semenyo, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Josh Acheampong, and Rak-Sakyi. Vanderpuye believes their presence could provide a psychological edge against England, a crucial opponent in the group stage. He noted that familiarity between players who regularly face each other at club level can influence match outcomes on the international stage.
'The one I'm looking forward to is the match against England. And that's why I want not only Antoine Semenyo, I want to have Callum Hudson-Odoi, I want to have Josh Acheampong, I want to have Rak-Sakyi. Their presence alone will give us some psychological advantage in that match,' Vanderpuye stated. He further explained, 'Look, I've said something people don't want to know. Bukayo Saka always has problems with Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Wan-Bissaka knows him very well. In football, it's always the case. When you know a player, you know what he's going to do.'
With the group stage fixtures confirmed, Ghana's highly anticipated clash with England is being tipped as a defining moment for the Black Stars as they aim to advance from the group and make a strong impression at the 2026 World Cup.