Colombia vs Ghana prediction tips and odds | World Cup 2026

Colombia begin their knockout campaign against Ghana in the Round of 32 at the Kansas City Stadium on Saturday at 2:30am BST, targeting a deep run that could rival their quarter-final appearance in 2014, with the Black Stars also reaching the last eight in 2010.

Nestor Lorenzo's unbeaten side topped Group K with seven points and one of the meanest defences in the tournament, conceding just once across three matches, while Carlos Queiroz's men advanced as third-placed finishers from Group L with four points.

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Preview: Colombia vs Ghana

Colombia opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca, where Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz all found the net in a performance that showcased the variety and depth of attacking options at Lorenzo's disposal.

The 1-0 win over DR Congo in the second match was more controlled, with Munoz again the decisive figure, the Crystal Palace full-back continuing to demonstrate that he offers as much going forward as he does in his defensive duties.

Matchday three's goalless draw with Portugal in Miami confirmed first place in Group K but undersold Colombia's dominance as they racked up 24 shots compared to the Selecao's 13, a display that has elevated Los Cafeteros from tournament outsiders into one of the sides not many would want to face in the knockouts.

Diaz has been the standout Colombian performer, arriving off the back of 29 goal contributions in 32 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich, and his goal and assist against Uzbekistan confirmed the forward has carried that prolific club form onto the World Cup stage.

James Rodriguez captains the side at 34 with 129 caps and 31 international goals, and while his role has shifted to a forward position on the right of Lorenzo's 4-3-3, his set-piece delivery and ability to unlock compact defences remain integral to how the South Americans create chances.

Ghana qualified with four points from Group L, having beaten Panama 1-0 through a Caleb Yirenkyi goal in the 95th minute, drawn 0-0 with England in a match where Queiroz's side held just 21.1% possession, and lost 2-1 to Croatia on the final matchday.

The numbers across the group stage reflect the scale of the challenge facing the Black Stars: just 15 shots in total across three matches, generating a combined xG of only 2.86, one of the lowest attacking outputs of any side to advance from the group phase.

Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City, who scored 17 Premier League goals in the 2025-26 season, represents the most potent individual threat at Queiroz's disposal, and his pace on the transition will be central to any chance the West Africans have of troubling a Colombian defence that has conceded just twice in five outings.

Jordan Ayew captains the squad at 34 with 123 caps and 34 international goals, and while his output has diminished at club level with Leicester City, the striker's experience of knockout football and ability to hold the ball under pressure will be valuable if Queiroz's men are to stay in this tie.

Colombia vs Ghana team news

Colombia

Colombia have no injury concerns heading into this fixture, with Lorenzo having rotated against Portugal to ensure his preferred starters are fresh for the knockout phase.

The midfield three of Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma and Jhon Arias operated effectively as a unit throughout the group stage, with the former providing energy at 22, the Crystal Palace man offering defensive screening from his 68 caps of experience, and the latter contributing width and goal threat from the right.

Luis Suarez of Sporting CP is expected to lead the line, the 28-year-old having established himself in Lorenzo's preferred XI with 15 caps and five goals to his name.

Ghana

Jerome Opoku sat out the final group match against Croatia as a precautionary measure due to a groin issue, a notable absence given the Istanbul Basaksehir defender had been one of the Black Stars' most impressive performers across the opening two fixtures.

The 27-year-old has since returned to pitch training and is in contention for a starting berth, with Henry Asante, Ghana's Director of Communications, confirming that Opoku was back on the field and expected to rejoin full team sessions ahead of the knockout tie.

Semenyo is fully available and should start on the left of a four-man midfield band in the 4-1-4-1, with Kamaldeen Sulemana of Atalanta occupying the opposite flank and Thomas Partey anchoring the midfield as the lone holding player with 59 caps and 15 international goals to his name.

The back four of Gideon Mensah, Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen and Marvin Senaya have a combined total of just 63 caps between them, underlining the inexperience Queiroz is working with in a defence tasked with containing one of the tournament's most potent attacks.

Predicted XIs: Colombia vs Ghana

Predicted Colombia XI (4-3-3): C Vargas; J Mojica, D Sanchez, J Lucumi, D Munoz; G Puerta, J Lerma, J Arias; L Diaz, L Suarez, J Rodriguez.

Predicted Ghana XI (4-1-4-1): B Asare; G Mensah, J Adjetey, D Luckassen, M Senaya; T Partey; A Semenyo, K Sibo, E Owusu, K Sulemana; J Ayew.

Head to head: Colombia vs Ghana

Colombia and Ghana have never played each other in any context, making this the first senior international meeting between the two nations and removing any direct head-to-head evidence from the tactical preparation.

Los Cafeteros' most recent World Cup knockout experience ended in the round of 16 in 2018, when England progressed on penalties in Moscow, while their finest tournament performance remains the 2014 quarter-final run in Brazil, where Rodriguez scored six goals to claim the Golden Boot.

The Black Stars last progressed beyond the group stage at a World Cup in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa and came within a penalty of becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals, a miss by Asamoah Gyan against Uruguay that remains one of the tournament's most iconic moments.

Our Colombia vs Ghana prediction and tips

See our William Hill sportsbook review for a full breakdown of their World Cup markets, where Colombia are priced as strong favourites to progress to the last 16.