Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli has declared his support for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying his allegiance naturally belongs with the Black Stars following Italy’s failure to qualify for the tournament.
Speaking during a television interview, the 35-year-old expressed pride in his Ghanaian heritage while revealing he has been closely following the Black Stars’ campaign.
“There is no Italy in the World Cup, so I support Ghana. I am from Ghana, and I’m proud. I love the players. Semenyo, I love the way he plays. I think 2010 was the best team of Ghana,” Balotelli said.
Born in Palermo to Ghanaian parents before being adopted by an Italian family, Balotelli represented Italy throughout his international career, earning 36 caps and scoring 14 goals. He famously helped the Azzurri reach the final of UEFA Euro 2012, including a memorable two-goal performance against Germany in the semi-finals.
Despite wearing Italy’s colours at international level, Balotelli has repeatedly spoken about his strong connection to Ghana and his pride in his family roots. His latest comments come as the Black Stars continue their impressive run at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Balotelli singled out Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo as his favourite player in the current Ghana squad, praising the striker’s energetic and direct style of play. Semenyo has been one of Ghana’s standout performers at the tournament, helping the Black Stars reach the knockout stage before their Round of 32 meeting with Colombia.
The former Manchester City, Inter Milan and AC Milan forward also paid tribute to Ghana’s iconic 2010 World Cup team, widely regarded as the nation’s greatest generation. Led by stars such as Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, John Mensah and Richard Kingson, Ghana reached the quarter-finals in South Africa before suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay after Luis Suárez’s infamous goal-line handball denied the Black Stars a place in the semi-finals. It remains the closest any African nation has come to reaching a FIFA World Cup semi-final.
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