When football fans marvel at Caleb Yirenkyi’s composure on the ball, his tactical intelligence, and his rapid rise from Ghana to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they often ask the same question: where did this young man learn to play?
The answer lies in one of Africa’s most prestigious football academies, Right to Dream.
Source: Instagram/right2dream
Where did Caleb Yirenkyi go to school?
Caleb Yirenkyi did not follow the traditional path of formal schooling combined with grassroots football. Instead, his education, both academic and athletic, was shaped by the Right to Dream Academy, an institution renowned for developing the whole person, not just the footballer.
Founded in Ghana and now operating across four countries on three continents, Right to Dream has become the launching pad for some of Africa’s brightest football talents.
Yirenkyi joined the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana in 2017, at the tender age of 11. Born and raised in Bechem in the Ahafo Region, the young midfielder had already shown glimpses of his potential on local pitches.
But it was at Right to Dream that those raw talents were refined into the polished skills we see today. The academy’s holistic approach emphasizes education, character development, and elite football training in equal measure.
The academy structure at Right to Dream is designed to nurture young athletes from the age of 10 through to their late teens. Students live on campus, where they receive formal academic education alongside intensive football training. The goal is to produce well-rounded individuals who can succeed in football and beyond.
For Yirenkyi, this environment proved transformative. He was described by coaches as quiet and shy off the pitch but fiercely competitive and determined when the whistle blew.
During his time at the Ghana academy, Yirenkyi’s dedication and talent earned him a place at the International Academy, where he expanded his skills further and gained exposure to international competition. One of the highlights of his academy career was winning the prestigious Gothia Cup twice — a remarkable achievement that showcased his potential on the global stage and put him on the radar of European scouts.
Right to Dream’s unique model also connects its academies in Ghana, Denmark, Egypt, and the United States. This international network allows players to experience different football cultures and prepares them for professional careers in Europe.
Yirenkyi benefited from this structure when he traveled with the international academy team to Denmark, where he played against elite European youth sides like Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain. These experiences gave him invaluable exposure to the demands of top-level football long before he made his professional debut.
In March 2024, at the age of 18, Yirenkyi officially graduated from the academy pathway by joining FC Nordsjaelland’s U19 squad in Denmark. The move was a natural progression — Right to Dream and Nordsjaelland share ownership, and the Danish club has become a stepping stone for numerous Ghanaian graduates. Stars like Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Simon Adingra, and Ernest Nuamah all followed a similar route before moving to Europe’s biggest leagues.
What sets Right to Dream apart from many other football academies is its commitment to developing character alongside technique. Yirenkyi’s humility, his willingness to learn, and his team-first mentality are all products of the academy’s philosophy.
Thomas Kristensen, a coach at Nordsjaelland who first encountered Yirenkyi through the Right to Dream international setup, famously recalled that the young Ghanaian was always the last to leave the dressing room, cleaning up after his teammates and ensuring every ball was accounted for.
Today, as Yirenkyi lights up the World Cup stage with Ghana’s Black Stars, his roots at Right to Dream remain a defining part of his story. The academy gave him the tools, the discipline, and the platform to chase his dreams. And at just 20 years old, it is clear that his journey is only just beginning.
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