Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has cautioned against anchoring Ghana's national team strategy around a single player, amid growing focus on rising forward Antoine Semenyo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With midfielder Mohammed Kudus ruled out of the upcoming tournament in North America, public discussion has increasingly positioned Semenyo as the team's potential talisman following a prolific and standout season in European football.

Despite the growing hype surrounding the attacker, Agyemang-Badu insisted that the Black Stars must prioritize collective teamwork over individual star power to achieve success on the global stage.

“An anchor of the team, yes. But building the team solely around one person, I don’t buy that idea,” Agyemang-Badu told Graphic Sports.

The veteran midfielder, who represented Ghana at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, highlighted the tactical risks of over-reliance, adding, “What happens if he gets injured? Then your team is messed up."

Agyemang-Badu argued that while Semenyo’s current form is a major asset for the national team, it should not dictate the side’s entire tactical identity, warning that relying heavily on individual brilliance or media hype can be costly in tournament football.

In the meantime, the Black Stars have officially opened their training camp in Cardiff, with 22 players currently preparing for a pre-tournament friendly against Wales on June 2. Head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to announce his final tournament squad shortly before the match.

Ghana will contest the World Cup from Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

The four-time African champions open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, play England at Gillette Stadium on June 23, and wrap up the group stage against Croatia on June 27 as they look to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010.