The Black Stars of Ghana are set to take on Panama in Group L’s opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the BMO Stadium in Toronto.
Ghana enters its fifth World Cup tournament with a mixed bag of emotions. While expectations are at an all-time low, the players will be hoping to impress the fans when they kick off their opening game against a CONCACAF team.
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Carlos Queiroz, taking over the job from Otto Addo just two months before the World Cup, faces an arduous task to ensure he performs well at the global showpiece.
He faces a number of injury issues, but the pressing of them is the absence of midfield maestro, Thomas Partey, who lost his visa appeal hearing after he was denied entry into Canada.
The head coach will have to find a way around his absence in midfield with many suggesting hat Caleb Yirenkyi is ready to step up to the plate.
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Meanwhile, Panama, making only their second-ever World Cup appearance after their debut in Russia 2018, will hope to build on their solidity, compactness, and discipline under long-term manager Thomas Christiansen.
He hopes to rely on Amir Murillo, Eric Davis, and midfield maestro Adalberto Carrasquilla to wreak havoc against the Black Stars.
Both teams have all to play for in the first group opener at the BMO Stadium, Toronto.
Predictions: Ghana 3-1 Panama
