By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The excitement and anxiety surrounding Ghana’s path at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have intensified following the Group L draw, which places the Black Stars against three tough opponents. They are set to face European heavyweights England and Croatia, and the determined CONCACAF side Panama.
Drawn from Pot 4, the expanded tournament in North America presents a unique challenge, combining formidable opponents with a demanding travel schedule. These two factors could test the team’s preparation and resources. This appearance will be Ghana’s fifth appearance at the global event.
Demanding Group Stage Schedule Unveiled 🇨🇦🇺🇸 FIFA’s match schedule confirms a demanding logistical test for Ghana. The Black Stars will play their three group matches across three different cities in an eleven-day window (June 17 to June 27).
The campaign begins on Wednesday, June 17, against Panama at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto, Canada. Ghana then travels to the USA for the highly anticipated clash with England on Tuesday, June 23, at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough.
The final and likely decisive group game is against Croatia on Saturday, June 27, at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field).
The journey and climate will be factors. Adding to this challenge, the Black Stars have been handed a series of late-night kick-off times (GMT), which could impact fan viewership back home in Ghana and potentially disrupt the team’s routine. The opening match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, is scheduled for 23:00 GMT (7:00 PM local EDT), followed by the England match on Tuesday, June 23, at 20:00 GMT (4:00 PM local EDT), and the final game against Croatia on Saturday, June 27, at 21:00 GMT (5:00 PM local EDT). Coach Otto Addo noted with pragmatic confidence, “On a good day, I know we can beat anyone,” while simultaneously accepting the possibility of losing to all three teams, including Panama. He also reiterated a focus on incremental
progress, stating, “surely we take it match by match. We want to win every match, that is for sure.”
Coaching Connections and Historical Context
The opening fixture against Panama carries an added layer of intrigue. Ghana’s Otto Addo and Panama’s coach Thomas Christiansen share a history as former rivals in the German Bundesliga. Christiansen acknowledged Ghana’s quality and said, “I faced him when I was a player in the Bundesliga, so I know Otto Addo and know the quality that he had as a player and what he has brought to the team.”
The draw also sets up the second-ever senior meeting between Ghana and England, following a 1-1 draw in a 2011 friendly. Legendary striker Asamoah Gyan, who was present at the draw, called the group a “tricky group,” but stressed the national expectation, adding, “everybody back home wants Ghana to qualify.”
Pathway to the Knockouts and Financial Backing
The new World Cup structure is a significant factor in Ghana’s hopes. With 12 groups of four, the top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 32. This expanded pathway offers Ghana a crucial opportunity to progress past the group stage for the first time since their 2010 quarterfinal run.
The team’s efforts are being backed by a substantial financial commitment. Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced a GHC150 million boost for preparation, logistics, and bonuses. Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams reinforced this national resolve, focusing on continuous improvement. He insisted the team has moved past past failures, stating, “We went there [to previous World Cups] to learn, so we have learnt something and we are more than prepared for next year’s Mundial and we will come back with something great.”
Rivals’ Assessment and Public Sentiment
The European coaches have shown a cautiously confident stance. England’s coach Thomas Tuchel described the pairing as a “difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations.” He added, “Panama, I don’t
know much about Panama at the moment but we will find out about it before the tournament starts, of course.” Conversely, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic highlighted England as the toughest opponent but was noticeably upbeat about facing the African and CONCACAF nations. Dalic, who coached Asamoah Gyan in the UAE, stressed Ghana’s athleticism and unpredictability. Dalic expressed optimism, saying, “Panama and Ghana are opponents we can play against and achieve a good result.” He also noted the significance of the opening match against England: “from the first pot we got one of the toughest national teams, England. It’s a bit unfortunate that we’re playing them in the opening match, which is the most important one because it sets the tone at the start. We’ll have to be ready for that match. We will scout them [Panama and Ghana] well.”
This assessment places the onus on Ghana to deliver. One Ghanaian fan, Desmond-sama, expressed a mixture of hope and skepticism, simply declaring the group “Very open.”
Meanwhile, the draw ceremony itself featured a significant political moment. US President Donald Trump was awarded the newly created FIFA Peace Prize by Gianni Infantino. Trump, who accepted a gold medal and certificate, called the honor “truly one of the great honours of my life,” despite the award being a notable departure from FIFA’s traditional focus on sport.
Opportunity Meets Adversity
Group L represents a classic World Cup challenge for Ghana, balancing the difficulty of facing two former finalists against the opportunity provided by the expanded knockout format. The Black Stars’ success will hinge on maximizing points against Panama in the crucial opener and navigating the tight, demanding schedule across three North American venues and the challenge of late kick-off times for domestic fan support. The necessity of extensive travel between Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia in a 10-day period will require exceptional logistical planning to mitigate fatigue. Adding to the national sentiment, Ghanaian student Fiifi Winful, currently studying in the US, summarized the early task: “Winning the first game against Panama is non-negotiable. That’s our three points; everything else is a bonus.”
While England and Croatia are deservedly favored, Ghana’s blend of youthful talent and sheer determination—backed by strong financial and public support—means their bid for a spot in the Round of 32 remains a realistic and achievable goal, provided they execute their strategy flawlessly
