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Former Ghana Football Association Vice-President, George Afriyie, has urged the Black Stars to keep their feet firmly on the ground ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that any dreams of upsetting England will count for little unless Ghana first overcome Panama in their opening match.
Afriyie believes the Black Stars have the capacity to spring a major upset against England, but insists the opening clash against Panama in Toronto, Canada, on June 17 will determine whether Ghana’s campaign gathers momentum or stalls before it truly begins.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L of the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time.
After the Panama encounter, Ghana face England in Boston on June 23, before concluding their group campaign against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
The stakes are already enormous even before a ball is kicked. Ghana are guaranteed a $10.5 million appearance fee, with further financial rewards available for teams that progress beyond the group stage.
Under the new format, all 12 group winners and runners-up, as well as eight of the best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32, each also securing an additional $500,000 in prize money.
Mr Afriyie believes the team must seize the initiative from the very first match.
“First of all, we need to win against Panama to position ourselves to either win or pick a point against England or beat Croatia or pick a point,” he told the Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview.
“Whichever way, it can propel us if we are to make a mark and go beyond the group stage.”
For the respected football administrator, the Panama match represents Ghana’s clearest opportunity to lay a solid foundation.
“I expect us to beat Panama. The first match is very important and, among our group opponents, trust me, our best bet is against Panama,” he explained.“We all know England and Croatia are ahead of us in terms of FIFA rankings, but national team football is quite tricky.”
Mr Afriyie also believes Ghana’s past World Cup exploits provide the perfect reminder that reputations and rankings count for little once the tournament begins.
He recalled the Black Stars’ famous victory over the Czech Republic in 2006 and their defeat of Serbia in 2010, insisting that those triumphs prove Ghana can once again upset a highly rated European opponent such as Croatia.
Nor is he convinced that England’s star-studded squad guarantees them victory.
“The history of the World Cup has shown clearly that the underdogs sometimes prevail,” he said.
“Senegal beat France in 2002, Cameroun beat Argentina in 1990 and it also happened when Ghana, a low-ranked team, beat the Czech Republic in 2006.”
While acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge, Afriyie believes the Black Stars can trouble England if every element behind the scenes falls into place.
“I don’t see it as an easy game for us, but if we get our rhythm right, everything is well in camp, the team is well prepared physically, psychologically and motivationally, and the boys are in the right frame of mind when they step onto the pitch, they can cause an upset against England.”
