Accra: Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, believes the Black Stars will have a successful tournament if they can secure a victory against Panama in their group opener. Ghana is set to face the Central American team in their Group L opener for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer.
According to Ghana Web, the experienced football administrator stated that a win for the Black Stars would strategically position them to contend for points in subsequent matches against England and Croatia. "First of all, we need to win against Panama to position ourselves to either win or pick a point against England or beat Croatia or pick a point," Afriyie shared with Graphic Sports. "Whichever way, it can propel us if we are to make a mark and go beyond the group stage. I expect us to beat Panama. The first match is very important and, among our group opponents, trust me, our best bet is against Panama."
Afriyie further noted the challenges posed by England and Croatia, who rank higher than Ghana in FIFA standings, but emphasized that national team football can be unpredictable. The Black Stars' campaign will commence against Panama on June 17, followed by encounters with England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
In preparation for the tournament, the Black Stars will regroup in March for friendly matches against Austria and Germany, face Mexico in May, and conclude with a match against Wales on June 2. During the World Cup, the team will be based at Bryant University in the United States, with hopes of advancing beyond their previous group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.