England eye early qualification as Ghana stand in their way
TDT | Manama
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England can book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage when they face Ghana in a Group L clash at Gillette Stadium tonight. Kick-off in Boston is scheduled for 11pm Bahrain time, with Thomas Tuchel’s side knowing that a second consecutive victory would secure qualification for the round of 32 with a game to spare.
The Three Lions opened their campaign with a statement 4-2 win over Croatia in Texas, where Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford all found the net.
However, it was a match of two contrasting halves, with assistant coach Anthony Barry later describing the first period as “complicated and confusing” — a reminder that England’s control was not always as secure as the scoreline suggested.
Despite that, England still produced one of their most aggressive World Cup performances in recent memory, registering 20 shots inside the penalty area in a relentless attacking display.
Ghana also arrive with momentum after edging Panama 1-0 thanks to a 95th-minute winner from Caleb Yirenkyi. The Black Stars showed resilience to claim all three points but now face a far sterner test against one of the tournament favourites.
They will look to Antoine Semenyo for inspiration, with the forward having scored 17 Premier League goals this season, while veteran coach Carlos Queiroz will need to maximise his attacking options to trouble England.
A win for either side would guarantee a place in the knockout stage with a game still to play, adding extra weight to the encounter.
England and Ghana have met only once in senior men’s international football, a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on 29 March 2011.
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