England vs Ghana prediction, tips and odds | World Cup 2026

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England take on Ghana on Tuesday in their second Group L match at the 2026 World Cup. Both nations won their opening fixtures and sit on three points, meaning the winner here will secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Thomas Tuchel’s side secured a 4-2 victory over Croatia last week courtesy of goals from Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, while Ghana grounded out a 1-0 victory over Panama thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Caleb Yirenkyi.

England are strong favourites to pick up maximum points, but the tactical discipline that Carlos Queiroz’s team showed in that narrow win should not be overlooked.

Preview: England vs Ghana

England’s qualifying campaign set the tone for this tournament. Eight wins from eight matches, 22 goals scored and none conceded. Tuchel has built a side that attacks with purpose and creates chances in volume.

The Croatia match confirmed that identity. Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute and added a second before half time. Bellingham made it three shortly after the restart, and substitute Rashford sealed the win five minutes from time.

England, bidding to win their first World Cup since 1966, recorded 20 shots inside the penalty area against Croatia, a World Cup record for the national team.

The defence did raise concerns, though. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa exploited positioning errors from Ezri Konsa and John Stones to level at 2-2 before half time. That vulnerability in transition is the one weakness Ghana could look to target.

In warm-up fixtures, England beat Costa Rica 3-0 and New Zealand 1-0, though a 1-0 defeat to Japan in March showed that quick teams on the counter-attack can cause Tuchel’s side problems.

England’s fourth-place FIFA ranking reflects the quality of a squad featuring players from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester City. William Hill price England at around 1.25 to win this match outright, which underlines the expected dominance. For a full breakdown of their football betting markets, visit our dedicated section.

Ghana are in a very different place. Their unconvincing win over Panama ended a run of four matches without a victory, during which the Black Stars conceded 10 goals in 360 minutes of football.

A 5-1 defeat to Austria in March and a 2-1 loss to Germany exposed clear defensive weaknesses, particularly from set pieces and in defensive transitions.

Queiroz did show he can adapt, though. Against Panama, Ghana sat deep with a disciplined low block and kept their first World Cup clean sheet since 2010. Replicating that against an England attack of this quality will be significantly harder.

Ghana do have players at top European clubs. Antoine Semenyo enjoyed a strong season with Bournemouth before joining Manchester City in January. Kamaldeen Sulemana is at Atalanta BC and Thomas Partey represents Villarreal.

Semenyo’s pace on the left and Sulemana’s ability to beat defenders in tight spaces are the main attacking threats Queiroz will rely on. See our William Hill sportsbook review for a full breakdown of their football markets.

England vs Ghana team news and predicted XIs

England

Bukayo Saka has gradually been recovering from a niggling Achilles issue and was not deemed ready to start against Croatia. He may begin as a substitute again against Ghana, with Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke retaining his spot on the right flank.

Rashford (thigh) and Declan Rice (thigh) have taken part in full training with the England squad, the latter was substituted in the second half against Croatia, and both players should be available for selection on Tuesday.

Tuchel will consider bringing in Marc Guehi to replace either Konsa or Stones at centre-back; Konsa was identified as one of those at fault for the goals Croatia scored. Reece James should keep his place at right-back, with Nico O’Reilly on the left.

Bellingham is also likely to continue in the number 10 position ahead of Morgan Rogers, while in-demand Elliot Anderson is expected to start again in a deeper midfield position.

Ghana

First-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was taken off at half time against Panama with a groin injury. Conflicting reports have since emerged, with some suggesting that he could be out for three weeks.

Ati-Zigi’s situation is set to be assessed day-by-day, and as things stand, it appears likely that Benjamin Asare of Ghanaian club Hearts of Oak will replace him between the sticks.

Partey missed the Panama match after being denied entry into Canada due to legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. The former Arsenal midfielder has since been granted a US visa and trained normally with the squad. He is therefore available and should start.

Semenyo, who was named Player of the Match against Panama, is expected to continue on the left flank, joining Sulemana, Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew in attack.

England vs Ghana predicted XIs

England predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; R James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Ghana predicted XI (4-2-3-1): B Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey; Fatawu, Sulemana, Semenyo; J Ayew.

Head-to-head: England vs Ghana

England and Ghana have met only once before, in a friendly on 29 March 2011 that finished 1-1. Andy Carroll gave England the lead before Asamoah Gyan equalised in the second half.

With no competitive meetings on record, the head-to-head offers little in the way of useful comparison. The squads involved were completely different, with Fabio Capello managing England and Ghana fielding a generation that included Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari.

Our England vs Ghana prediction and tips