Ghana 2026 FIFA World Cup betting: Black Stars journey ends in Round of 32

Since making it to their first World Cup in 2006, Ghana have missed just one edition – in 2018 – and have made it out of the group stage twice, in their first two appearances (2006 and 2010).

This edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico is their fifth appearance, and they have failed to make it out of the group stage in their last two (2014 and 2022), with the Black Stars left chasing the highs of 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Ghana have had to endure some lows over the last couple of years, even failing to qualify for the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, but they somehow found a way to navigate a gruelling CAF qualification campaign to secure their place on football’s biggest stage.

Otto Addo, who was head coach through this phase, was replaced by Carlos Queiroz just a few months before the World Cup, raising some eyebrows, putting the Portuguese under pressure to justify his appointment.

Queiroz stuck with a core of the experienced players that Addo utilized, naming Jordan Ayew as captain, while the likes of Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams also made the team.

However, he also ensured to blend them with young players entering their prime, having the likes of Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu and Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah, in the team.

One major loss was Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, who was ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after failing to recover from a severe quadriceps injury and subsequent hamstring setbacks.

Ghana World Cup — Carlos Queiroz is set to take charge of his fifth World Cup tournament – Photo by IMAGO/Samuello Sports Images Gh

Contents

1 Ghana in Group L
2 Ghana's Group L fixtures
3 Ghana's Odds of progress (Before their elimination)
4 The spearhead: Top scorer prospects
5 The Verdict
6 Check out FootballWhispers’ related World Cup articles:

Ghana in Group L

Following the final draw, Ghana were placed in Group L, alongside heavyweights England and Croatia, with Panama completing the group.

Luckily for the Black Stars, this World Cup would have eight best third-placed teams from the group stage making it to the knockout phase, which improves their chances of avoiding a third group stage exit.

Playing against Panama in their opening fixture also handed them an opportunity to secure three points early on, while they battle for another key point against the two clear favourites afterwards.

Ghana's Group L fixtures

Matchday 1: Ghana 1-0 Panama (June 18, 2026 – BMO Field, Toronto)

The Black Stars were expected to dominate this game, but that was not the case, as Panama edged them in possession and chances generated in the match.

However, goals win football matches and Queiroz’s team managed to do that, as Caleb Yirenkyi tapped home the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure all three points.

It is a huge positive that they have managed to get three points in what is their easiest fixture on paper, and now they can head into the two tougher matches with a foundation to build on.

Matchday 2: England 0-0 Ghana (June 23, 2026 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)

Ghana were clear underdogs heading into this game, but the Black Stars showed that they cannot be underestimated at the World Cup history, holding one of the tournament favourites to a goalless draw.

A solid defensive block and maximum concentration helped the African side secure a result that has now increased their chances of a place in the knockout stage.

England and Ghana last met in a friendly encounter 15 years ago – Photo by IMAGO/APL

Matchday 3: Croatia 2-1 Ghana (June 27, 2026 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)

Ghana's hopes of finishing in the top two of Group L ended with a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group fixture. Petar Sucic gave Croatia the lead before Derrick Luckassen restored parity for the Black Stars in the second half, only for substitute Nikola Vlasic to head home a late winner in the 83rd minute, sending Zlatko Dalic's side through as group runners-up.

Despite the defeat, Ghana still progressed to the round of 32 because they had already accumulated four points from their opening two matches, which guaranteed them one of the eight best third-placed spots under the expanded 48-team World Cup format.

As a result of finishing third in Group L, Ghana have been drawn against Colombia in the round of 32. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Switzerland or Algeria in the last 16.

Round of 32: Colombia 1-0 Ghana (July 1, 2026 – BC Place, Vancouver)

Ghana advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and faced Group K winners Colombia in the round of 32.

However, their World Cup journey came to an end following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia. The Black Stars produced a disciplined defensive display for long periods and remained firmly in the contest, but they were undone by a first-half goal that proved enough to send the South Americans through.

The Black Stars fought until the final whistle in search of an equaliser, yet their inability to find a breakthrough saw them bow out after reaching the knockout stages as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Ghana's Odds of progress (Before their elimination)

Prior to the start of the tournament, the bookmakers had Ghana as the third-favourite to win Group L and to qualify from the group, trailing England and Croatia, which ended up being accurate.

This was the last odds for the Black Stars reaching each stage before their elimination.

To qualify from Group L: 1.001
To win Group L: 21.00
To reach the last 16: 5.50
To reach the quarter-finals: 10.00
To reach the semi-finals: 34.00
To end up as runner-up: 126.00
To win tournament: 401.00

The spearhead: Top scorer prospects

While the legendary Asamoah Gyan remains the benchmark for Ghanaian World Cup excellence, the 2026 mantle fell on the shoulders of attackers like Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo, especially with Kudus missing out due to injury.

However, none of them found the net, as the Black Stars scored just twice in the competition, with the goals coming from defender Derrick Luckassen and midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi.

Jordan Ayew is two goals away from becoming Ghana's third all-time leading scorer – Photo by IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

The Verdict

While the Black Stars were not expected to win the 2026 World Cup or even reach the final four, any sort of deep run in the competition would have gone a long way in re-establishing their shattered confidence over the last couple of years.

However, they could not go past the Round of 32, failing to match their run from 2010. While they got plaudits for their defensive solidity, Ghana's blunt attack remains a concern and one they would hope to sort before the next round of competitive matches.