Ghana begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama on Thursday, June 18 (kick-off in the early hours, French time), at Toronto’s BMO Field. A must-watch opener for the Black Stars in a tough Group L.
For Ghana, it is time to get down to business. Drawn in Group L alongside England and Croatia, the Black Stars know there is no room for error in this opener against Panama, the side seen as the most beatable in the pool. Winners of their African qualifying group, Carlos Queiroz’s men nonetheless arrive on the back of a disappointing build-up, marked by several defeats. Reason enough to approach this Toronto fixture with a healthy dose of caution.
To make the difference, Ghana will lean on their attacking leaders — Jordan Ayew, captain and top scorer in qualifying, Antoine Semenyo, Iñaki Williams and Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah. A few absences will weigh in the balance, however, starting with Thomas Partey (visa issue) and Mohammed Kudus, ruled out of the tournament. On the other side, Panama, playing only their second World Cup, will have nothing to lose. The stakes are clear: a win is almost essential to chase qualification, or at least a spot among the best third-placed teams. From Accra to the diaspora, hopes are high.