World Cup
Ghana will face England in Foxborough on June 23.
Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo prior to a pre-World Cup friendly with Wales. Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
June 17, 2026 | 4:02 PM
2 minutes to read
Ghana will be one of the last teams in the field of 48 to make its 2026 World Cup debut, kicking off on June 17 against Panama in Toronto.
For the “Black Stars,” the 2026 tournament could prove to be a major opportunity with several promising players.
Ahead of Ghana’s first game tonight, here’s a quick guide for one of the teams coming to the Boston area for the 2026 World Cup:
Three quick things to know
- Time for the rise of a new generation? Having never played in a World Cup before 2006, Ghana quickly established itself as a talented soccer nation (and a thorn in the side of the United States). Eliminating the U.S. in both 2006 and 2010, Ghana made the knockout round in each of its first two World Cups. Since then, however, success has been harder to achieve as Ghana has either not qualified or been eliminated in the group stage each World Cup since 2010. In 2026, however, a new era of “The Black Stars” could be ready to emerge, with promising young players like 20-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi potentially set to break out at this summer’s World Cup.
- Thomas Partey, one of Ghana’s midfielders, has been denied entry to Canada (where Ghana plays its first game) due to multiple ongoing charges of rape and sexual assault. Partey was first charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. In early 2026, he was charged with two more counts of rape. He has been granted a visa to the United States, however, where Ghana plays its final two group stage games.
- The team is led by one of the most well-traveled coaches in history, Carlos Quieroz of Portugal. The 73-year-old coached in his native Portugal (leading the national team twice), had stints in MLS, Japan, and as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United. He also managed Real Madrid for a season in 2003-04. His longest standing legacy has been his international coaching, as Ghana is the ninth national team Queiroz has led.
What’s the group stage schedule?
- June 17: Ghana vs. Panama at 7 p.m. (Toronto Stadium)
- June 23: England vs. Ghana at 4 p.m. (Boston Stadium
- June 27: Croatia vs. Ghana at 5 p.m. (Philadelphia Stadium)
Standout quote: “We have confidence in you. I’m sure with every match you’ll improve. We will use Panama to set the stage.” – Ghana President John Dramani Mahama.
Player to know: Antoine Semenyo, an exceptionally talented winger who plays for English giants Manchester City at the club level. Though he will certainly face an immense amount of pressure to drive Ghana’s attack forward, the 26-year-old is capable of conjuring a goal from thin air.
How they might line up: Quieroz could go in several directions at outside back, central midfield, and at the No. 10 role.
Expert prediction: Former Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan noted in March that he was “optimistic” about his country facing England in the World Cup, though he offered no specific prediction on that. Gyan simply said he thinks Ghana has a good path to qualify for the knockout round.
Fun version of their anthem: Here’s a spirited rendition of “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana” played on keyboard.
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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