England vs Ghana Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
England were extremely impressive in the opening game of FIFA World Cup 2026 as they now take on Ghana, who also earned an opening game win in Group L.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
England preview: Impressive England
After a much-anticipated build-up, England produced an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas last week. In an entertaining first half where England looked a bit shaky as they gave up two leads, The Three Lions turned on the style in the opening stages of the second half with Jude Bellingham scoring in a flurry of English attacks before Marcus Rashford sealed the win late on.
Thomas Tuchel said he wanted his team to go out on their own terms after what appeared to be a nervy first half and that sparked a major surge in the second half. The English will believe they could go deep this summer if they maintain a similar performance level - and there is growing expectation among their fan base.
Ghana preview: Pinching a win
Ghana come into their second game on the back of edging past Panama by a goal to nil for a crucial three points in Toronto. After an even contest in which the Panamanians perhaps even shaded things, Caleb Yirenkyi then scored from close range deep in to second half stoppage time to earn The Black Stars a crucial three points.
Carlos Queiroz took charge of the Ghanaians after defeats to Austria and Germany in the March international break and their build-up was underwhelming with a 2-0 loss against FIFA World Cup co-hosts Mexico and then a 1-1 draw against an under strength Wales side at the Cardiff City Stadium.
England team news: Finding the flow
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
England supporters may point to Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford coming off the bench and combining for the fourth goal but Tuchel may well suggest their impact was as a result of the excellent work that Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke got through to tire out the Croatians.
The big talking point before their opener was John Stones being picked ahead of Marc Guehi and Stones did appear nervy himself and slightly off the pace against Croatia but he improved and minutes into his legs are required if he is, as it does appear, is to remain Tuchel's starting centre-back alongside Ezri Konsa. Declan Rice was replaced late on as he manages a slight injury issue but his subbing was precautionary and Tuchel will want to win to be able to rest players against Panama.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ghana team news: Partey to return
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Thomas Partey was refused entry into Canada for The Black Stars' opener against Panama but the departing Villarreal defensive midfielder is expected to return to the starting eleven against England in Boston.
First-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ai-Zigi was forced off through injury at half-time of their opener and the St Gallen shot stopper is now a major doubt for their second game.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Asare; Mensah, Opoku, Adjetey, Senaya; Yirenkyi, Partey; Semenyo, Nuamah, Sulemana; Ayew
Unavailable:
Questionable: Ati-Zigi (Injured)
England’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Jordan Pickford ($4.8m) – Goalkeeper
Jude Bellingham ($8.3m) – Midfielder
Harry Kane ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Harry Kane
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Harry Kane
Free kicks: Declan Rice, Reece James
Corners: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka
Ghana’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Caleb Yirenkyi ($4.7m) – Midfielder
Antoine Semenyo ($7.2m) – Forward
Jordan Ayew ($5.3m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Antoine Semenyo
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Jordan Ayew
Free kicks: Jordan Ayew
Corners: Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Key stats
- England are unbeaten in their eight previous FIFA World Cup matches against African teams (W5 D3), keeping six clean sheets in the encounters.
- England have lost only four of their last 27 FIFA World Cup group stage matches (W13 D10).
- England have been losing at half-time in only one of their last 41 World Cup group matches (includes second group stage).
- England are aiming to start a FIFA World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins for the fourth time in their 17 participations. The only previous occasions they did so was 1982, 2006 and 2018
- Harry Kane has drawn level with Gary Lineker as England’s top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with ten goals.
- Ghana’s all-time FIFA World Cup record against European teams in their seven previous encounters is W2 D1 L4.
- Ghana are aiming to start a World Cup campaign with successive wins for the first time.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
England vs Ghana prediction
England will now be expected to play with the intensity that they showed in the opening stages of the second half from the off against the Ghanaians in Boston. They did show in a 3-0 friendly win against Costa Rica that they can get themselves up and running from the start with Tuchel's side continuing to show some rhythm and cohesion across the park, recovering from shaky defensive lapses in the first half against the Croats.
Ghana, in typical Queiroz fashion, will be expected to keep things tight and awkward but their low-scoring affair against Panama shouldn't necessarily be misconstrued because Ghana did seem quite open, particularly in the first half against the Central Americans - and the last time a Queiroz-coached side faced England saw his Iran beaten 6-2 by England in Qatar at FIFA World Cup 2022.
England won't be too concerned about being caught out by a limited Ghana side and Tuchel will want to wrap up Group L as quickly and as comfortably possible.
England vs Ghana betting tip: England to win to nil
