'This is for you Mama' - Ghana's Bonsu Baah living dream at FIFA World Cup | OneFootball

There are few experiences as a player that come close to representing your country at a FIFA World Cup.

Whether you play every game, or are among the substitutes, the experience of those few weeks every four years can be absolutely priceless. That is true for veteran footballers, but even more so for young stars making their way in the game.

What you learn about yourself amid the pressure-cooker environment are lessons to last a lifetime, both as a player and a person. For most, it is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, the achieving of a childhood dream.

That is certainly the case for Al Qadsiah’s Christopher Bonsu Baah, who at only age 21, is the second youngest member of Ghana’s squad at the current 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite representing his national team at football's showpiece event at such a young age, things have not come easy for Bonsu Baah. As a young boy growing up in Kumasi, his family didn’t have a lot, so much so that he would often go hungry. Football, however, was his salvation.

Bonsu Baah’s mother was her son’s biggest supporter, always pushing him to chase his dream, even if it meant leaving home as a teenager for the opportunity to trial in Europe. He would be separated from his family with no guarantees of success.

“I would say to my mum, ‘This is difficult for me’,” Bonsu Baah told The Athletic recently. “To be alone without any family at such a young age, it’s hard... if you are not mentally tough, it will affect you every day.

“My mum played a big role in helping me. Some parents want their kids to focus on school, but she knew how much I wanted to become a footballer. She would tell me, ‘It’s just a matter of time’.”

Tragically, Bonsu Baah’s mother passed away suddenly and, such was his documentation in Spain at the time, had he travelled back to Ghana for her funeral, he wouldn't have been able to return.

Bonsu Baah, then 17, describes it as “the most difficult decision I have ever made” - it would at any stage of life, but at the time he was still a teen - although he says his mum would have told him to continue his chance at a career and remain in Spain.

Understandably, that tragedy fuelled him.

“Spain had to count for something,” Bonsu Bah said.

Eventually, it did. Although not in Spain, but rather in Norway. From there, he went to Genk in Belgium, before signing with Al Qadsiah in July last year.

In four years, the young winger has gone from having nothing to representing his country at the World Cup.

While he is yet to feature in North America for the Black Stars, who finished as one of the best third-placed teams and thus face Colombia in Kansas City in the Round of 32 early on Saturday, Bonsu Baah stands ready to deliver if called upon by coach Carlos Queiroz.

It is a tough team to crack, competing with players such as Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo, to name just a few.

But Bonsu Baah is in the squad for a reason: at 21, he brings youthful energy and dynamism, feet as fast as lightning, with the poise to match.

Just ask fans of Al Qadsiah, who saw their summer signing develop into an integral member of their squad that ended the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League in fourth spot. To his immense credit, Bonsu Baah was one of the hottest attackers in the league.

His 12 assists was bettered across the league only by Joao Felix, Al Nassr’s title winner and the 2025-26 SPL Player of the Season. Meanwhile, at Al Qadsiah, Bonsu Baah outdid everyone but Musab Al Juwayr, the league's Saudi Player of the Season, for total chances created, finishing the season with 56.

With three goals to go with his 12 assists, Bonsu Baah's campaign comprised career-best form, which earned his selection for the World Cup.

Yet those who knew Bonsu Baah growing up always believed he was destined for big things.

“The first match I saw Christopher play, wow,” his manager, Joe Gyam, says in a video shared on the player's social media.

“He was 14 years old, the youngest in the squad, I think. Left-footed, playing No.10, strong and everything like this. [I was thinking] this boy’s got it and, once he trained hard and believed in himself, he could make it that far.”

Christopher Bonsu Baah will be hoping to light up FIFA World Cup just like Al Qadsiah teammate Julian Quinones

For Bonsu Baah, his selection was a dream realised - and one he dedicates to his late mother.

“Still trying to find the right words,” he shared in that same video. “Grateful for everyone who believed in me when I was just a kid dreaming, everyone who has been a part of this journey…

“This is a dream come true. Ready to wear this badge yet again with pride, this time, at football’s highest and most prestigious level, FIFA WORLD CUP.

“Thank you, God. This one’s for you, Mama.”