Preview: England vs Ghana | Latest news, line-ups, absences (23/06/2026)
Preview, team news, head-to-head, probable line-ups and where to watch England vs Ghana in Group L at the 2026 World Cup
England and Ghana meet in Boston on Tuesday night with both sides looking to take control of Group L after winning their opening matches. The Three Lions began their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham added another and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to seal the win late on. It was an impressive attacking performance from Thomas Tuchel‘s side, although conceding twice will give the manager something to address.
Ghana also started with three points, edging Panama 1-0 in Toronto thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi‘s stoppage-time winner. It was not a fluent performance, but it was a valuable one, and Carlos Queiroz‘s side will now believe they can make a serious push for qualification.
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England’s victory over Croatia showed why they are among the favourites to win the World Cup. Kane looked sharp, Bellingham was influential featuring behind the Bayern Munich striker and the substitutes made a decisive impact, but Croatia’s two goals showed there is still room for improvement defensively.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s win over Panama was built on patience and resilience. The Black Stars had to wait until the 95th minute for the breakthrough, with substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante setting up Yirenkyi for the winner. That late goal could prove hugely important in a group where margins may be tight.
England
Tuchel has a selection decision to make after England’s substitutes changed the Croatia game. Rashford scored after coming on, while Bukayo Saka also made an impact from the bench.
The starting XI against Croatia featured Jordan Pickford in goal, with Reece James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones and Nico O’Reilly across the back line. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson started in midfield, with Noni Madueke, Bellingham and Anthony Gordon supporting Kane.
England may not need wholesale changes, but Rashford and Saka will both be pushing for starts after their contributions in the opener.
Ghana
Queiroz may keep the same structure after the clean sheet, although Thomas-Asante’s decisive assist from the bench gives him another attacking option. Iñaki Williams and Abdul Fatawu were also among the players who did not start the opener and could come into consideration if Ghana want more pace and directness. Starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi is doubtful after being subbed off at half-time against Panama due to groin injury, with Benjamin Asare expected to fill in should his teammate miss out.
Teams H2H: Head-to-head stats
England and Ghana have met only once at senior international level. Andy Carroll gave England the lead at Wembley, before Asamoah Gyan scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Ghana. Tuesday’s meeting will be the first competitive match between the nations.
Previous meetings:
29/03/2011: England 1-1 Ghana (International friendly)
Predicted line-ups
England could reward some of the players who changed the game against Croatia, especially Rashford after his late goal. Ghana are likely to stay close to the side that beat Panama, with their compact structure and counter-attacking threat central to their plan.
Tactical analysis: Can Ghana survive England’s attacking waves?
England will expect to dominate possession and territory, as Rice and Anderson give Tuchel’s side balance in midfield, while Bellingham’s ability to break forward from central areas makes England dangerous even when opponents defend deep.
If Saka and Rashford start, England will have pace, direct running and one-on-one threat on both flanks. Kane’s movement adds another layer, as he can either pin Ghana’s centre-backs or drop deeper to bring runners into play.
Ghana’s best route to success is likely to come in transition. Semenyo and Nuamah have the speed to attack space, while Jordan Ayew‘s experience and hold-up play can help relieve pressure. The challenge will be turning those moments into genuine chances rather than isolated breaks.
Key players to watch
Harry Kane (England)
Kane was outstanding against Croatia, scoring twice and setting the tone for England’s attacking performance. The Bayern Munich star remains the most reliable finisher in Tuchel’s squad and continues to combine penalty-box movement with intelligent link-up play. Against Ghana, he is likely to face a compact defence, but his ability to find space between centre-backs makes him England’s most obvious match-winner.
Kane scoring once will not bring much value, especially after his brace in the opener. Backing him to score two or more goals could be the more interesting angle if England dominate possession.
Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Semenyo is likely to be Ghana’s biggest attacking threat against England. The Manchester City forward has developed into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous all-round attackers, combining pace, power and relentless work rate. He started against Panama and was one of Ghana’s most active players in the final third, constantly looking to drive at defenders and create openings.
Against England, Ghana are unlikely to enjoy long periods of possession, which means Semenyo’s ability to carry the ball over distance and make something happen in transition will be crucial. He also has the physical attributes to trouble England’s defenders in one-on-one situations, particularly if Ghana can release him quickly into space after winning possession.
Semenyo may only get a handful of opportunities, but he is likely to be at the centre of Ghana’s best attacking moments. Rather than backing him to score, producing a shot on target looks like the smarter bet, especially if Ghana spend much of the match playing on the counter-attack.
Where to watch England vs Ghana in the UK and Ireland
England vs Ghana kicks off at 21:00 BST on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
In the Republic of Ireland, the match will be available through RTÉ’s World Cup coverage and RTÉ Player.
Market insights and probability predictions
England are clear favourites after their opening win. Current markets imply roughly a 65% to 70% chance of an England victory, with Ghana around 12% to 16% and the draw close to 22%. The goals market leans towards England creating most of the chances, but Ghana’s organisation and opening clean sheet against Panama suggest this may not become completely one-sided. England to win and Kane to score will be popular, although England to win with both teams to score could appeal if Ghana’s pace in transition causes problems.
Ghana have the defensive organisation to make this awkward for Thomas Tuchel’s side, but England’s attacking depth should be too strong over 90 minutes. If the Three Lions sharpen up defensively, they will manage to clinch the three points that would seal them a spot in the knockout stages.
