Published 19 June 2026 3 min read
Men's Senior
The history behind England v Ghana
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The pre-match stats and facts ahead of the Three Lions’ first competitive meeting with Ghana
Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to build on their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 victory when they face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, June 23, in their second Group L match.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were on target in an entertaining 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday, and the Black Stars are the Three Lions’ next challenge.
It will be the first time England and Ghana meet at the World Cup - and their first competitive meeting overall - with their only previous clash coming in a friendly at Wembley in March 2011.
Fabio Capello’s side drew 1-1 with the African nation, with Andy Carroll and ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan on the scoresheet.
A victory over Ghana would see Tuchel’s side win their first two matches of a World Cup campaign for just the fourth time, having done so in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were on target in an entertaining 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday, and the Black Stars are the Three Lions’ next challenge.
It will be the first time England and Ghana meet at the World Cup - and their first competitive meeting overall - with their only previous clash coming in a friendly at Wembley in March 2011.
Fabio Capello’s side drew 1-1 with the African nation, with Andy Carroll and ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan on the scoresheet.
A victory over Ghana would see Tuchel’s side win their first two matches of a World Cup campaign for just the fourth time, having done so in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
England also have a strong record against African opposition heading into the match. They are unbeaten against African teams at the World Cup, winning five and drawing three of their eight matches.
Of those eight games, England have faced seven different African opponents - Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal - and Ghana will be their eighth.
Having enjoyed the perfect start with a brace against Croatia to match Gary Lineker’s record for most goals for England at the World Cup with 10, Kane will be hoping to continue his excellent form against African nations.
The Bayern Munich talisman has scored five goals across his five international appearances against African nations. Three of those have been at the World Cup, scoring against Tunisia in 2018 (twice) and Senegal in 2022.
Kane spearheaded a sharp England attack against Croatia, alongside Arsenal’s Noni Madueke and Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon.
Across the opening round matchday one fixtures at the World Cup, only Germany (12) had more shots on target than England (eleven v Croatia). Excluding penalties, Thomas Tuchel’s side also had the highest xG (1.09) and most shots on target (five) from set-piece situations of any side on MD1.
Of those eight games, England have faced seven different African opponents - Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal - and Ghana will be their eighth.
Having enjoyed the perfect start with a brace against Croatia to match Gary Lineker’s record for most goals for England at the World Cup with 10, Kane will be hoping to continue his excellent form against African nations.
The Bayern Munich talisman has scored five goals across his five international appearances against African nations. Three of those have been at the World Cup, scoring against Tunisia in 2018 (twice) and Senegal in 2022.
Kane spearheaded a sharp England attack against Croatia, alongside Arsenal’s Noni Madueke and Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon.
Across the opening round matchday one fixtures at the World Cup, only Germany (12) had more shots on target than England (eleven v Croatia). Excluding penalties, Thomas Tuchel’s side also had the highest xG (1.09) and most shots on target (five) from set-piece situations of any side on MD1.
After Bukayo Saka came off the bench to earn his 50th Three Lions cap against Croatia, there could be more personal milestones achieved in the Ghana meeting.
Jude Bellingham could also reach a half-century of appearances, and would be the youngest player in history to do so for the England men’s team at the age of 22 years and 359 days on the day of the game.
At the opposite end of the pitch, both Jordan Pickford and John Stones could make their 14th World Cup appearance for England, with only Peter Shilton (17) having more in the competition for the men’s side.
Jude Bellingham could also reach a half-century of appearances, and would be the youngest player in history to do so for the England men’s team at the age of 22 years and 359 days on the day of the game.
At the opposite end of the pitch, both Jordan Pickford and John Stones could make their 14th World Cup appearance for England, with only Peter Shilton (17) having more in the competition for the men’s side.