Ghana World Cup 2026 guide: Fixtures, prediction, key player and odds | OneFootball

Ghana will rely heavily on Antoine Semenyo to avoid an early exit

After recent major tournament struggles, uncertainty has engulfed Ghana ahead of the World Cup.

The Black Stars, who failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, had no such issues in booking their place at this summer’s showpiece in North America, topping their group and finishing six points clear.

However, preparations for the finals have been less than ideal with Otto Addo departing just after a run of four consecutive losses and subsequently replaced by former Real Madrid manager and Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz.

To appoint a new manager just 59 days before the start of a major tournament is a huge risk and leaves Ghana with an uphill task to get past the group stage for the first time since 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals.

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi, Paul Reverson

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Alexander Djiku, Elisha Owusus

Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku

Forwards: Kamal Deen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew.

Ghana World Cup fixtures

(all times BST)

Ghana vs Panama (12am on June 18, BMO Field)

England vs Ghana (9pm on June 23, Gillette Stadium)

Croatia vs Ghana (10pm on June 27, Lincoln Financial Field)

Carlos Queiroz has replaced Otto Addo as Ghana manager

The introduction of the best third-placed teams reaching the knockout stage may just prevent an early exit for Ghana at the World Cup this summer.

Starting their campaign against Panama, who are expected to be the Group L whipping boys, a comfortable win should put the Black Stars in a good position to qualify as long as they don’t lose heavily to England and Croatia.

That said, finishing third is likely to bring up a round of 32 meeting with Portugal and that will be the end of the road.

Key player

Antoine Semenyo. A second major international tournament for the Manchester City forward and this one should finally see a changing of the guard in the Ghana national team.

The biggest stage in football awaits Antoine Semenyo this summer

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With Mohammed Kudus set to miss out through injury, the onus in attack is set to fall on Semenyo’s shoulders, though he did show at Man City that he is more than capable of taking on such responsibility.

To win the World Cup: 250/1