Ghana defender Gideon Mensah says talks over his move to Bundesliga club FC Koln began well before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the belief that his performances at the tournament earned him the transfer.
The 28-year-old left-back joined Koln after leaving French side AJ Auxerre. He said negotiations with the German club had been under way before Ghana travelled to North America for the World Cup, although discussions became more advanced during the tournament.
“Most people really thought that it was the World Cup performance that got me this deal,” Mensah told Flashscore.
“The conversation with Koln started way before the World Cup. The conversation got more concrete during the World Cup, but the conversation started way before the World Cup.
“Everything was done after the England game in America.”
Mensah acknowledged that his displays for Ghana helped reinforce Koln’s view of him, but stressed that the transfer was not the direct result of one tournament.
The defender started all four of Ghana’s matches at the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars beat Panama and drew with England before losing narrowly to Croatia. Their campaign ended in the Round of 32 with defeat by Colombia.
Mensah regarded the tournament as one of the most important stages of his international career. It was his second appearance at a World Cup, following his involvement in Qatar four years earlier, but he said his role in 2026 was very different.
“It was my second time playing the World Cup,” he said.
“The first time was as a young boy going in there for the experience. This World Cup, I went there as a senior player with some responsibility.”
The former AJ Auxerre player said taking on greater responsibility within the national team was among the most satisfying parts of the competition.
“This one came with a lot of responsibilities and leadership, something that I enjoyed very well because I came into the national team as a young boy and then ended up reaching the highest stage of football and playing a key part,” he said.
“I feel good about my presence in the team, for the whole country and also for myself. The 2026 World Cup was one of the best tournaments I’ve had for Ghana.”
Mensah also spoke about the influence he hoped to have on younger members of the Ghana squad. Having once entered the team as a young player himself, he said he now viewed his position as an opportunity to help guide the next generation of Black Stars players.
“I had young players playing alongside me, so now it’s like I have this opportunity to be a big influence, a good leader for these ones that are playing alongside me,” he added.
“I think my performance and the energy that I had in the World Cup this year was more about the authority and responsibility given to me.”
Mensah has already made his first appearance for Koln, playing in their 3-2 Bundesliga win over TSG Hoffenheim at the RheinEnergieSTADION on Saturday.
He is expected to feature again when Koln travel to play VfB Stuttgart this weekend.
