It has been a successful and at times dramatic season for Antoine Semenyo. That will not let up this summer either with the Manchester City forward expected to be a key player Ghana at the World Cup.

That’s the view of Asamoah Gyan and few would disagree with the former Black Stars striker.

“There will be a lot of pressure on Semenyo at the World Cup,” he told Sky Sports at a PUMA launch event for Ghana’s World Cup kit.

“People back home have questions about his performance when it comes to the national team, but as a former player and a striker, I have to be in his shoes.

“There will be a bit of pressure because of where he’s playing now. When you’re playing for one of the best teams in the world and you come into the national team, there will be a lot of expectations.

“Everything is going to depend on how he’s going to deal with that pressure for the first time, because he hasn’t been under it with the national team before he made that huge transfer.

“He’s the face of Ghana football right now because of his position and what he has done for himself. Everything is going to depend on Antoine Semenyo for this World Cup.”

Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season.

He hit the ground running at the Etihad too, adding another seven league goals – finishing as the third-highest scorer in the league – as well as scoring the winning goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

However, his creativity and influence was restricted by Panama in Ghana’s opening Group L game, although he was joint-top with his team-mates for shots (2), chances created (1), but he had the most touches in the opposition box (4).

“Semenyo can have a huge influence in the team,” Gyan added. “He did great for Bournemouth and he had a deserving transfer to Manchester City. He’s continuing doing what he does best with goalscoring.

“He’s very good with the left foot, with the right foot, his agility, his pace, his strength. He has done so well for himself for now.”

But it has not been a smooth build-up to the World Cup for Ghana. Carlos Queiroz was appointed as the new head coach in April after the sacking of Otto Addo, and he comes with significant international pedigree – the former Manchester United coach took charge of Iran for the last three World Cups

Addo was relieved of his duties after the March international break, in which the Black Stars lost to Germany and Austria in friendlies. In fact, Ghana did not win any of their matches after qualifying for the World Cup, in which they topped their group, and drew with Wales in a friendly on June 2.

However, that streak was finally broken after a late Caleb Yirenkyi goal beat Panama last Thursday morning.

According to official data released by FIFA, Portugal’s opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup achieved an average audience of 3.3 million viewers in Portugal, setting a new annual record.

The match attracted nearly half of Portugal’s population, with a total of 4.9 million viewers tuning in.

With an average audience of 3.3 million, the broadcast broke multiple records and became the most-watched television event of the year.

Note: The above data are overnight ratings; final aggregated data will be released following the FIFA World Cup.

Veteran UK politician Andy Burnham confirmed on Monday that he would seek to replace Keir Starmer as leader of the ruling Labour Party and prime minister.

Burnham, 56, called for an “orderly and responsible” transition after Starmer announced he was stepping down. “I will put myself forward as part of this process,” Burnham wrote on X.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who previously said he would join a leadership race, instead said he was backing Burnham, suggesting the former Manchester mayor could become leader without any formal contest.

AFP