Ghana kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama in Group L.
Considered outsiders in Group L, Ghana and Panama know that this match is crucial to their hopes of finishing third and potentially securing a knockout spot as one of eight best third-placed teams.
Team News
Ghana will be without midfielder, Thomas Partey after he wasn’t allowed to enter Toronto, Canada, due to visa issues.
Panama could be without Adalberto Carrasquilla after the midfielder sat out their warm-up friendlies due to a groin injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Ghana meet Panama at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada, at 7pm EDT on Wednesday 17 June (00:00am BST, Thursday 18 June), live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Ghana’s first-ever meeting against Panama in all competitions.
- Panama lost their only previous meeting against an African team at a World Cup, which came in a 2-1 defeat to Tunisia in the 2018 edition.
- Ghana are winless in their last six matches in all competitions (D1, L5).
- Panama are yet to keep a clean sheet in 2026 – having scored 11 goals and conceded 13 goals in seven matches (W2, D3, L2).
Prediction
Although they’re unlikely to win this group, Ghana should feel confident of finishing at least third with players like Abdul Fatawu, Brandon Thomas-Asante and the in-form Antoine Semenyo within their squad.
Panama meanwhile on paper look like Group L’s whipping boys given their disastrous performances on debut at the 2018 edition, but this is a chance for them to show how they’ve progressed since that campaign especially from a defensive perspective.
I however do think that Ghana will have too much quality for Panama to handle.
Prediction: Ghana 2-1 Panama