Croatia vs Ghana Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
Croatia can still top Group L despite a defeat in their opener as they now take on a solid Ghana side in Philadelphia in the final round of group stage fixtures.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Croatia preview: The experienced Croats
FIFA World Cup 2018 finalists and FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Croatia have a recognisable and experienced squad under Zlatko Dalic and their resilience, a key characteristic of their performances on the global stage, has once again been on show in North America this summer.
After suffering a 4-2 loss to England in Dallas in their opener, Croatia then managed to grind out a slender victory in their second game in Toronto with Osasuna striker Ante Budimir coming off the bench at half-time to pinch the winning goal in a 1-0 defeat of Panama.
Ghana preview: Solid Ghanaians
Carlos Queiroz took charge of Ghana after the March international break to take part in his fifth successive FIFA World Cup, and the former Real Madrid boss has managed to achieve some famous results with his typically conservative and awkward style of football.
The Black Stars managed to edge past Panama by a goal to nil in their opening game in Toronto with a late Caleb Yirenkyi winner before providing immense frustration for one of the pre-tournament favourites, England, in a goalless draw in Boston.
Croatia team news: Budimir to start
After a few impressive seasons in La Liga for Real Mallorca and then Osasuna, it was a bit of a surprise for Ante Budimir to miss out on the eleven in both of their games thus far but, after scoring the winner against Ghana, he will be expected to start here.
Croatia changed their system against Panama with a 4-2-3-1 deployed instead of the back three and that allowed Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina to thrive in the 'number ten' position.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric; Marco Pasalic, Baturina, Perisic; Budimir
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ghana team news: Ati-Zigi still a doubt
Having been forced off against Panama, goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi remains a major doubt for this one with Hearts of Oak shot-stopper Benjamin Asare coming in and keeping a clean sheet without too much of a test against England.
Ghana made a couple of changes as they went to a 4-3-3 to be more defensive with Thomas Partey alongside Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwasi Sibo in the middle of the park at the expense of attackers Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ernest Nuamah.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey, Sibo; Semenyo, Ayew, Williams
Unavailable:
Questionable: Ati-Zigi (Injured)
Croatia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Josko Gvardiol ($5.0m) – Defender
Josip Stanisic ($4.3m) – Defender
Luka Modric ($6.2m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Luke Modric
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Luka Modric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic
Free kicks: Luka Modric
Corners: Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric
Ghana’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Caleb Yirenkyi ($4.7m) – Midfielder
Antoine Semenyo ($7.2m) – Forward
Jordan Ayew ($5.3m) – Forward
Matchday 3 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 Croatia and Ghana.
- Croatia have kept five clean sheets across their last eight group stage fixtures at the World Cup.
- Croatia are aiming to reach the knockout rounds at a third successive edition of the World Cup.
- Luka Modrić has featured in each of Croatia’s last 21 FIFA World Cup matches – a streak that began after their opening game at the 2006 finals against Brazil.
- Ivan Perišić could reach the landmark of 20 matches played at the FIFA World Cup.
- Ghana are seeking a place in the knockout phase for the first time since their back-to-back appearances in 2006 and 2010.
- The 0-0 stalemate against England was Ghana’s first goalless draw in 17 FIFA World Cup encounters.
- Carlos Queiroz has masterminded seven clean sheets in his 15 matches as a FIFA World Cup head coach.
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Croatia vs Ghana prediction
Zlatko Dalic and his Croatia side have shown their resilience to bounce back and they have a versatility that has allowed them to play in a variety of ways, which may be beneficial against Ghana here.
Ghana will play with their low block once again and one of the major criticisms levelled at Thomas Tuchel and England was their inability and desire to try something different tactically with the introduction of 'big man' striker Ivan Toney - something that Croatia possess with Budimir and will likely utilise.
Croatia have guile in midfield and a battering ram up-front and they will fancy themselves to edge past the Ghanaians in a likely low-scoring encounter.
Croatia vs Ghana betting tip: Croatia to win & under 3.5 goals
