Colombia vs Ghana Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
Given that they will play the winners of Switzerland vs Algeria in the Round of 16, Colombia and Ghana will sense a massive opportunity here as they face off in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Colombia preview: Impressive Colombians
Colombia have appeared to rediscover the extremely impressive form that they found under Nestor Lorenzo between late 2022 and the summer of 2024, whereby they reached the final of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America before a couple of years of indifference.
The Colombians, playing an exciting style of football, began their group stages by defeating both Uzbekistan and then Congo DR before being much the better of the two sides in a goalless draw with Portugal in Miami, as they finished above the Europeans and won Group K.
Ghana preview: Tight Ghanaians
The appointment of former Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz, appearing at his fifth successive FIFA World Cup as a manager, after the March international break was always going to lead to the Ghanaians becoming very awkward and difficult to play against - and that was the case as they finished third in a tough Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
The Black Stars edged past Panama by a goal to nil with a late Caleb Yirenkyi winner in Toronto delivering them a priceless three points. That was followed by a goalless draw with one of the pre-tournament favourites England in Boston before a hard-fought 2-1 loss, back in Toronto, against Croatia.
Colombia team news: No issues
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
It appears that, at the time of writing, Colombia have a fully-fit and available squad but that does not mean Nestor Lorenzo will not make any changes with some positions still up for grabs.
Jhon Cordoba started ahead of both Luis Suarez and Cucho Hernandez but it would be a surprise to see Suarez not come back into the side. There are also expected to be changes at full-back with Daniel Munoz and Johan Mojica coming back in for Santiago Arias and Deiver Machado.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma; J. Arias, James, Diaz; Suarez
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ghana team news: No need to change
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
St Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was forced off through injury against Panama in their opener and he was unavailable against England then seemingly left out in favour of the impressive Benjamin Asare against Croatia as he returns to full fitness.
The Ghanaians have shifted to a flat midfield since the return of Thomas Partey to the side, in between Kwasi Sibo and Elisha Owusu, with only room for one of either Inaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana or Ernest Nuamah on the opposite wing to Antoine Semenyo.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Owusu, Partey, Sibo; Semenyo, Ayew, Sulemana
Unavailable:
Questionable: Ati-Zigi (Injured)
Colombia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Daniel Munoz ($4.6m) – Defender
Luis Diaz ($8.1m) – Midfielder
James Rodriguez ($6.5m) – Midfielder
Matchday 4 captain pick: Luis Diaz
Set-piece duty
Penalties: James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz
Free kicks: James Rodriguez
Corners: James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias
Ghana’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Marvin Senaya ($3.5m) – Defender
Caleb Yirenkyi ($4.7m) – Midfielder
Antoine Semenyo ($7.2m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Antoine Semenyo
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Jordan Ayew
Free kicks: Jordan Ayew
Corners: Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between Colombia and Ghana.
- This is Colombia’s third successive qualification to the knockout phase, and their fourth overall.
- Colombia have kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup matches.
- Juan Quintero could make his tenth World Cup appearance, becoming only the fourth Colombian player to reach the landmark.
- Ghana have qualified for the knockout stage for the first time since making back-to-back appearances in 2006 and 2010.
- Ghana’s only win in a knockout phase fixture is their 2-1 extra-time triumph over the USA in the 2010 round of 16.
- Jordan Ayew could become only the third player to reach 10 World Cup appearances for Ghana after Asamoah Gyan (11) and André Ayew (10).
- Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz managed Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020, leading them at the 2019 Copa América in Brazil. Surviving members of that Colombia squad on duty at this FIFA World Cup, and now in opposition to Queiroz, are David Ospina, Santiago Arias, James Rodríguez, Camilo Vargas, Yerry Mina, Luis Díaz, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Lucumí and Davinson Sánchez.
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Colombia vs Ghana prediction
With right-back Daniel Munoz and left-winger Luis Diaz, Colombia have dominated the wings and they will expect to do so again against a Ghana side that haven’t really found themselves tested with the urgency of play that Colombia bring.
England and Croatia laboured against the Ghanaians with fairly sterile possession that saw quite crowded and narrow systems failing to shine out-wide and now, for the first time, Ghana look as though they will be stretched.
Colombia may not be the most trustworthy of teams and Ghana will fancy themselves to hurt the South Americans on the counter-attack, but the South Americans should be favoured to progress here.
Colombia vs Ghana betting tip: Colombia to win & both teams to score
