England v Ghana prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group L

England can wrap up their place in the round of 32 with a game to spare when they line up against Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Tuesday's Group L showdown of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Thomas Tuchel's side go into matchday two top of the group on goal difference after their 4-2 dismantling of Croatia, while the Black Stars sit second following Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute winner against Panama. Win here and, assuming Panama do not beat Croatia simultaneously, England are through. For Ghana, a point or three would put qualification in their own hands heading into the final round of fixtures.

The scale of England's opening performance surprised even their most ardent supporters. The 22 shots they mustered against Croatia, including a record 20 inside the penalty area, according to Sports Mole, underlined just how far Tuchel has pushed this attack. Harry Kane equalised Gary Lineker's England World Cup record of 10 goals with a brace, Jude Bellingham cut in from the right to make it 3-2 in the second half, and substitute Marcus Rashford drove in a fourth with five minutes left. England's xG for the game was 3.2 against a Croatia return of just 0.7, which tells the real story of a match that flattered the Croatians at 4-2.

For Ghana, the narrative before the Panama game looked grim. The Black Stars had conceded 10 goals in their previous four matches and were widely expected to struggle here. Instead, Carlos Queiroz's side stifled Panama for 94 minutes before Yirenkyi, 20 years old, and the second-youngest Ghanaian ever to score at a World Cup, swept in a late winner. It was a 1-0 that flattered nobody: Ghana averaged only eight shots, two on target, and carried an xG of 1.31. They would need a significant step up to threaten England.

Tuchel has made no secret of what to expect. "Ghana play with a lot of physicality, quality and speed," he told reporters on Monday. "They don't mind if they don't have the ball." The England manager respects the threat but left no ambiguity about his side's ambition: "It's bad news for Ghana because we will be very motivated."

For Queiroz, the response was equally direct. "Tomorrow we will fight to win," the Ghana head coach told the pre-match press conference. "Whatever the result, our players must leave this match with their heads held high, knowing they gave everything." Jordan Ayew, at 34 years and 280 days the oldest Ghanaian to feature at a World Cup on matchday one, led Ghana's pressing game against Panama and is set to be central again here. Whether that intensity will be enough against an England side averaging 52% possession and 11 shots on target is another matter.

England v Ghana kicks off at 9pm BST on Tuesday, 23 June at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. The match is live on BBC One in the UK, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer. ITV does not hold the rights to this fixture.