Ghana at World Cup 2026: Black Stars Eye Group L Escape

Ghana are back at the World Cup, and the road to get here was anything but smooth. The Black Stars topped CAF qualifying Group I with 25 points from eight wins, one draw and one defeat, finishing clear of Madagascar, Mali and Comoros. The man who engineered that run, Otto Addo, did not make it to the tournament: the Ghana FA dismissed him weeks before kickoff and handed the squad to veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, appointed in April 2026 on a short contract that runs only through the finals.

The draw was unkind. In Group L, Ghana share a section with England and Croatia — two of Europe's most experienced sides — plus a stubborn Panama. The fixtures shape the whole campaign: Ghana open against Panama in Toronto on June 17, arguably their most winnable game, before facing England near Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. With the 48-team format sending the top two from each group plus the best third-placed teams into the round of 32, a strong start against Panama is close to essential.

The build-up was rocked by injury. Mohammed Kudus, the Tottenham forward who had become the player Ghana's attack was built around, was ruled out of the tournament after a thigh problem failed to heal in time. It is a heavy blow, and Queiroz has to rebuild the creative spine around it.

There is still talent here. Iñaki Williams of Athletic Club and Antoine Semenyo carry the attacking threat, midfielder Thomas Partey brings Champions League-level steel, and Jordan Ayew offers experience up front. Ghana remember the agony of 2010, when they came within a missed penalty of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal — the kind of history that still fuels this group, even if the current squad is rebuilding rather than peaking.

Honestly, asking Ghana to finish above both England and Croatia is a stretch, but second place — or a best-third spot — is a genuine target if they beat Panama and steal something from one European giant. See how the math plays out in our World Cup 2026 predictions, then run Group L yourself in the match simulator.