2026 World Cup: He is a talent for the future - Jordan Ayew lauds 'exceptional' Caleb Yirenkyi
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has called for measured expectations and careful management of Caleb Yirenkyi following the midfielder’s decisive performance in Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yirenkyi struck deep into stoppage time in Toronto to seal a 1-0 win over Panama, handing Ghana a crucial victory in their Group L opener and immediately elevating his profile on the global stage.
The 21-year-old’s recent performances have drawn widespread acclaim from supporters and analysts, with growing consensus that he represents one of the country’s most promising young talents.
Speaking after the match, Ayew praised the midfielder’s impact since breaking into the national team setup but warned against placing too much pressure on him too early in his career.
“He’s been exceptionally well since coming into the national team. All credit to him, he deserves it, he does his job. He’s a future talent, and we need to protect him to make sure he reaches his full potential,” Ayew told 3Sports.
The veteran forward, among the few Ghanaians to feature at three World Cups, emphasised the importance of a supportive environment to help Yirenkyi continue his development without disruption.
Ghana’s victory places them second in Group L behind England, who opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia.
The Black Stars now turn their attention to a high-profile showdown with England at Gillette Stadium on June 23, before wrapping up their group fixtures against Croatia four days later.
Carlos Queiroz’s side will be aiming to build on their winning start as they target a return to the knockout stage for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.