Ghana’s Black Stars have been handed a tough but exciting group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
The draw was held in the United States on Friday, December 5, setting the stage for a thrilling group-stage contest when the expanded 48-team tournament kicks off across the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Ghana, making its fifth appearance at the global showpiece, will compete in Group L, where they will come up against two European heavyweights and a rising CONCACAF side eager to make an impression.
The headline fixture for many Ghanaian fans will undoubtedly be the clash with England, a team packed with Premier League stars and widely considered one of the contenders for the title. This will be the first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations, sparking early excitement and debate among supporters.
Also standing in Ghana’s way are Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists and one of Europe’s most consistent performers on the international stage. Though their veteran core is expected to transition by 2026, Croatia remains a formidable opponent with strong technical quality and tournament experience.
The Black Stars will also face Panama, who return to the World Cup. Known for their physicality and disciplined play, Panama will be aiming to upset more established nations in the group.
The draw presents both challenges and opportunities for Ghana, whose youthful squad will be seeking to make a strong statement after missing out on the knockout stage in 2022. Many analysts see the group as competitive but navigable, particularly if the Black Stars are able to replicate the energy and resilience they have become known for on the world stage.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be hosted across 16 cities in North America, making it the largest and most ambitious edition in the competition’s history.
As anticipation builds, Ghanaian fans at home and abroad are already buzzing, hopeful that the Black Stars can once again light up the world stage and push for a historic run in the tournament.
World Cup draw
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA play-off D winner (Denmark, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, or North Macedonia)
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA play-off A winner (Italy, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, UEFA play-off D winner (Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, Romania)
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: The Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA play-off B winner (Ukraine, Poland, Albania, Sweden)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA play-off 2 winner (Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA play-off 1 winner (DR Congo, Jamaica, New Caledonia)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
