England - Ghana / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the England vs. Ghana match in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, also broadcast live on JOJ Šport, kicks off at 10:00 PM CET.

The second matchday in Group L features a direct clash for a spot in the Round of 16 between two teams sitting on three points. While England and Ghana's standings appear identical ahead of their encounter, their opening performances painted a stark contrast. The African representatives struggled immensely for their full points against Panama, whereas Thomas Tuchel's squad sent a clear warning to the entire tournament that their ambitions reach for the ultimate prize.

While the English shone, Ghana's opening match was a festival of offensive futility. Against Panama's organized defense, they created virtually nothing in the first half. Although their play improved somewhat after the break, the tactical identity that new Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz is trying to instill in the team was far from ideal.

Queiroz is renowned for his insistence on absolute defensive discipline, yet his players made several glaring errors at the back. They ultimately salvaged three points in the dying moments – Caleb Yirenkyi struck in the 95th minute after a swift counter-attack, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

However, the African team reports a significant boost ahead of this crucial showdown. After resolving administrative hurdles, Thomas Partey is ready to start, and he is expected to immediately stabilize the transition phase and elevate the quality in midfield. On the other hand, the coaching staff is grappling with concerns over the goalkeeper position; Lawrence Ati Zigi sustained an injury in the previous match, and his participation against the favorites is highly doubtful.

On the opposite side, there's immense offensive confidence. England crushed Croatia 4-2 in their tournament opener, a match that surely entertained any neutral spectator. A balanced first half was followed by an absolutely dominant performance from the Three Lions after the break. Tuchel orchestrated modern, versatile football, full of rapid counter-attacks and patient siege play. The statistics speak volumes – England registered 20 touches inside the opponent's penalty area and, with a bit more luck, could have won by an even larger margin.

Captain Harry Kane was once again the central figure. His two precise strikes saw him draw level with the legendary Gary Lineker in the historical national statistics for World Cups. Substitute Marcus Rashford also confirmed his excellent form, definitively breaking the opponent's resistance after coming off the bench.

The only wrinkle for the German coach in charge of England remains defensive cohesion. The central defensive pairing conceded twice, exposing positional weaknesses in both instances. It is therefore highly probable that Tuchel will rotate his backline, giving Marc Guéhi a starting opportunity. Otherwise, the squad's health is optimal, with only Livramento remaining sidelined.

The tactical blueprint for this encounter is clear. England will press high, aiming to decide the match as early as possible. Ghana will be forced to sit deep and rely on swift breaks from their quick wingers. The problem, however, remains that if Queiroz's men struggled to create chances against Panama, they will find even less space against England's elite. The difference in readiness between the two teams was stark in the first round.