By Nadia Ntiamoah
As the Black Stars pursue glory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention has largely been focused on the players tasked with carrying the nation’s hopes on football’s biggest stage.
However, behind many of the stars representing Ghana in Canada, Mexico and the United States are wives, fiancées and long-term partners (WAGS- Wives and Girlfriends) who continue to provide unwavering support throughout their football journeys.
The Black Stars opened their World Cup campaign against Panama in Group L amid heightened expectations from Ghanaians eager to see the national team end a disappointing run of results and make a strong impact at the tournament.
While millions of supporters back home are rallying behind the team, some of the players’ biggest supporters remain the women who have stood by them through the highs and lows of their careers.
One of the most recent marriages within the Black Stars family is that of goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
The FC St. Gallen shot-stopper married his longtime partner, Perihan Kirli, in a beautiful ceremony held in the Turkish resort town of Kuşadası. Images and videos from the wedding emerged in April 2026, drawing admiration from football fans who celebrated the couple’s union.
Left-back Gideon Mensah also entered married life shortly before the World Cup. The French-based defender tied the knot with his longtime partner, Vicentia Mensah, in a traditional wedding ceremony in Accra in June 2025.
Their family recently expanded with the arrival of their first child in February 2026, giving the defender additional motivation as he represents Ghana on the global stage.
Experienced defender Baba Rahman is among the longest-married players in the Black Stars squad. The PAOK defender has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Salma Rahman, since May 2016.
The couple exchanged vows during a traditional marriage ceremony in Tamale, their hometown, and have remained together throughout the player’s football journey across Europe and international football.
Istanbul Başakşehir defender Jerome Opoku also enjoys strong family support. The defender is married to Tanja, with whom he has built a growing family. Their relationship reached another milestone when Opoku proposed in May 2024. The couple welcomed their first child, Cruz, in November 2022 and recently celebrated the birth of their second child in March 2026. Their relationship has often been showcased on social media, where they frequently share family moments.
Midfield maestro Thomas Partey, one of Ghana’s most influential players, is married to British model and social media personality Janine Mackson. The couple exchanged vows in July 2025 during an elegant ceremony in Marbella, Spain.
They are parents to a daughter, Alaia, who was born in January 2024. Janine has regularly been seen supporting Partey throughout his football career and remains one of his most visible supporters.
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew also enjoys the support of a close-knit family. The Leicester City forward is married to Denise Acquah, and together they have two children, Kiki and Razan.
Denise has remained a consistent presence throughout Ayew’s football journey, supporting him through international tournaments and club commitments alike.
Among the players not yet married but preparing for that next chapter is striker Antoine Semenyo.
The Manchester City forward is engaged to London-based model Jordeen Buckley. The couple, who have been together since 2020, announced their engagement in November 2025. Buckley is often spotted supporting Semenyo during matches and celebrating key milestones in his career.
Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams, one of Ghana’s most recognisable stars, married his longtime Spanish partner Patricia Morales in June 2024 at the historic Basílica de Begoña in Bilbao.
Their relationship spans nearly seven years, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Niko, on New Year’s Day in 2026. Williams has frequently spoken about the importance of family and heritage, values that continue to shape his football journey with the Black Stars.
Auxerre midfielder Elisha Owusu also enjoys family life with his wife, Gwen. The couple are parents to one child, and the midfielder often shares family moments on social media, highlighting the role his loved ones play in his life both on and off the pitch.
