For the Record: Why England Might Not Beat Ghana
The stage is set for a historic World Cup clash as England prepare to face Ghana for the first time at the tournament. While the Three Lions arrive as favorites on paper, Carlos Queiroz’s pre-match press conference made one thing clear: the Black Stars are not in awe of their opponents. If history and recent comments are anything to go by, England should not expect an easy afternoon.
The numbers already suggest this will be no walkover. Ghana have a strong record in their second group stage matches at the World Cup, with two wins and two draws across four tournaments. The Black Stars have consistently proven they can live with the best when the pressure is highest, holding eventual champions Germany to a thrilling 2-2 draw in 2014 and famously pushing Uruguay to a penalty shootout in 2010. England, meanwhile, have a mixed record against African opposition at the World Cup. Despite five wins from eight games, they have also been held to three draws, including a frustrating 0-0 against Algeria in 2010 and tense, scoreless affairs with Nigeria in 2002 and Morocco in 1986. The only previous meeting between these two nations ended 1-1 at Wembley in 2011, when Asamoah Gyan canceled out Andy Carroll’s opener. History says African sides make England work for every point.
Carlos Queiroz struck a calm but defiant tone when he faced the media. He described the game as “one of the matches everyone would wait all his life to play” and acknowledged England as “a great team with great players.” Yet he was quick to show his side would not be intimidated.
Reflecting on his 6-2 defeat to England with Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Queiroz said it “was never a loss for me, but a learning moment. In football you win or you learn your lesson.” The message was clear: he has studied England, he has learned, and Ghana will be different. Queiroz also confirmed there will be “new faces” compared to the team that beat Panama, hinting at tactical adjustments designed specifically for this test.
When asked about Thomas Partey’s importance and whether Ghana missed him against Panama, Queiroz refused to single out individuals. “My favorite player is the team, not an individual,” he said. He went on to praise the squad’s performance against Panama, calling them “resilient, disciplined, and focused to win.” That response underlines Ghana’s approach: this will not be a one-man team. With Semenyo, Nuamah, and Sulemana all available, England cannot simply shut down Partey and expect Ghana’s threat to disappear.
Tactically, this game pits Thomas Tuchel’s new-look England against a Ghana side built to frustrate. Tuchel has made England full-throttled and high-scoring, pressing aggressively and attacking in waves. But that style has a weakness. His teams can become impatient against compact defenses and vulnerable to quick transitions.
Queiroz knows this. His Iran side held England at bay for 35 minutes in Qatar before the goals came. This Ghana team has more pace and technical quality to hurt England on the break. Expect the Black Stars to clog midfield, force Bellingham and Rice into safe passes, and attack the channels where Nuamah and Semenyo can isolate defenders. If Ghana can keep it tight for an hour, the pressure shifts to England.
Perhaps the biggest factor is mentality. Queiroz said his team will “play to enjoy themselves.” That is not a sign of fear; it is a sign of freedom. Ghana carry no expectation. England, with a so-called golden generation and a coach hired to win now, carry all of it. The Black Stars have thrived in this exact situation before. They are unbeaten in the second game of the group stage for a reason.
England have the talent and Tuchel has the system. But Ghana have the history, the blueprint, and a coach who has already taken his lessons from facing this opponent. A win for England is possible, but a comfortable one is not. For the record, no one should be shocked if Ghana takes points from this game. In Queiroz’s words, you either win or you learn — and Ghana plans to do one of them.