Ghana’s Black Stars face a demanding path at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama in Group L during Friday’s draw in Washington, DC.
The ceremony, held at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, confirmed Ghana’s return to football’s biggest stage in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
The draw places the Black Stars against two European heavyweights and a rapidly improving CONCACAF side. England, one of the pre-tournament favourites, and Croatia, the 2018 finalists, will present Ghana with formidable challenges as the team seeks to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010.
Panama, making their second World Cup appearance after debuting in 2018, completes the group.
England’s group allocation was confirmed earlier in the day, with the Three Lions set to face Croatia, Ghana and Panama. The expanded 48-team tournament saw 42 already-qualified nations included in the draw, alongside six additional slots that will be filled through intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 2026.
Ghana’s group is part of the full draw for the 2026 tournament, which will take place across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Per the FIFA schedule the Black Stars will play their games in the USA and Canada;
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Match 21 – Group L - Toronto Stadium
Match 22 – Group L - Dallas StadiumTuesday, June 23, 2026
Match 45 – Group L - Boston Stadium
Match 46 – Group L - Toronto StadiumSaturday, June 27, 2026
Match 67 – Group L - New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 68 – Group L - Philadelphia Stadium
The World Cup kicks off on June 11 and runs until July 19, 2026, with fixtures to be staged in major cities including Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Houston, Vancouver, Toronto, Mexico City and Monterrey. The final will be played at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
FIFA is expected to confirm match dates, venues and kick-off times on Saturday, 6 December. Ticketing information and subsequent updates will be issued next week as registration windows open for various fan groups across participating nations.
With the draw now complete, Ghana’s technical team can begin detailed preparations for a group that offers both enormous challenges and significant opportunities. The Black Stars will look to build momentum heading into next summer as they attempt to deliver another memorable World Cup campaign.
The entire 48-team draw below;
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Winner of Play-Off D
Group B: Canada, Winner of Play-Off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of Play-Off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of Play-Off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of Play-Off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner of Play-Off 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
