Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to consider including more English-born players in the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, and will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England on June 23 and wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Vanderpuye argued that the presence of dual-nationality players who ply their trade in England could offer Ghana a psychological and tactical advantage, particularly in the much-anticipated fixture against the Three Lions.
“The one I’m looking forward to is the match against England. And that’s why I want not only 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,” he said.
The former Member of Parliament further stressed that familiarity with opponents often plays a crucial role in high-level football, noting that players who compete regularly against English stars in club football may better anticipate their movements and tendencies.
“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,” Vanderpuye added.
The 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format, and Ghana will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010. With the England encounter already generating significant anticipation, discussions around squad composition and dual-nationality players are expected to intensify in the months leading up to the tournament.
