The FIFA Museum in Zurich has added Caleb Yirenkyi's torn Black Stars jersey to its official collection, commemorating a dramatic moment in the 2026 World Cup. Yirenkyi, a 20-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, scored a 95th-minute winner against Panama in Ghana's opening Group L game in Toronto. The jersey, ripped during celebrations, is now a permanent piece of football history.
The preserved jersey puts Yirenkyi alongside Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan, whose iconic 2010 World Cup shirt is also housed in the museum. According to Rahman Osman, the institution added the shirt to its collection of memorabilia documenting the historic tournament, which featured 48 nations for the first time. Yirenkyi's decisive contribution in a high-stakes moment caught the attention of the football world's most prestigious museum.
The strike secured a 1-0 victory for the Black Stars in their Group L opener and became one of the defining moments of Ghana's World Cup campaign. Yirenkyi had drawn considerable attention in the build-up to the tournament, and his late winner marked a significant breakthrough. The FIFA Museum's acquisition of the jersey solidifies Yirenkyi's place in football history.
The preservation of Yirenkyi's jersey stands in contrast to Asamoah Gyan's, which symbolizes what might have been. Gyan's shirt, worn during Ghana's 2010 World Cup quarter-final exit, represents a different emotional weight. In 2010, Ghana fell short of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, losing to Uruguay on penalties.
Sixteen years later, Yirenkyi's moment carries a joyful emotional weight, etched in the annals of Ghanaian football. His torn shirt now occupies a permanent place in football history, a reminder of a night that launched his career. The FIFA Museum's collection continues to grow, documenting significant moments in football history.
Interim Ghana coach Kim Lars Björkegren recently promised a stronger performance against Somalia in the return fixture on November 16. The team aims to secure maximum points from the double-header to revive their 2027 AFCON qualifying hopes. Yirenkyi's preserved jersey serves as a testament to the team's potential.
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe, a CAF-accredited journalist, reported on Yirenkyi's achievement and Ghana's upcoming fixtures. With over five years of experience in digital journalism, Tagoe has covered significant events, including the 2023 AFCON and grassroots competitions within Ghana.
Key points
- Caleb Yirenkyi's torn Black Stars jersey has been permanently preserved by the FIFA Museum in Zurich.
- The jersey commemorates Yirenkyi's 95th-minute winner against Panama in Ghana's 2026 World Cup opener.
- Yirenkyi joins Asamoah Gyan in the FIFA Museum's Ghanaian collection, with his jersey symbolizing a joyful moment in Ghanaian football.
