When and Where Is the England vs Ghana Match?

The match will take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 13, 2026.

Kickoff: 1:00 PM local time (Kansas City) / 17:00 UTC / 18:00 BST (London).

Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and Kansas City Current (NWSL), will host its first-ever FIFA World Cup match. The venue has a capacity of 76,416, making it one of the largest stadiums in the tournament.

Predicted Starting Lineups

England’s Likely XI

With Gareth Southgate continuing as manager, England will likely field a balanced lineup blending experience and youth. Based on recent form and squad depth, the probable starting XI is:

• GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
• DEF: Kyle Walker (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Reece James (Chelsea)
• MID: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), James Maddison (Tottenham)
• FW: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Key Notes:

• Injury concerns for Kalvin Phillips (ankle) could see a rotation with Conor Gallagher or Declan Rice in midfield.
• Harry Kane remains the focal point, with Ollie Watkins providing width.

Ghana’s Likely XI

Under Otto Addo, Ghana will look to build on their 2022 World Cup run. The probable starting XI is:

• GK: Richard Ofori (AshantiGold SC)
• DEF: Joseph Attamah (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kwesi Appiah (FC Midtjylland), Daniel Amartey (Crystal Palace), Mohammed Salisu (Brighton & Hove Albion)
• MID: Thomas Partey (Arsenal), André Ayew (Crystal Palace), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
• FW: Mohammed Salisu (Brighton), Joseph Osei (FC Midtjylland), Anthony Yeboah (FC Midtjylland)

Key Notes:

• Ghana’s midfield trio of Partey, André Ayew, and Kudus will be crucial in breaking down England’s defense.
• Injury updates for Jordan Ayew (hamstring) remain fluid, with Mohammed Kudus likely to start.

Tactical Preview: How England and Ghana Will Approach the Match

England’s likely formation will be a 4-3-3, with Southgate prioritizing defensive solidity while looking to exploit Ghana’s defensive vulnerabilities. Key tactical battles include:

England’s Game Plan

• High Press: England will press aggressively in midfield to disrupt Ghana’s build-up, targeting Thomas Partey and Kudus early.
• Full-Back Contributions: Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw will push high to stretch Ghana’s defense.
• Set-Piece Threat: With Harry Kane leading the line, England will look to dominate corners and free kicks.

Ghana’s Game Plan

• Counterattacking: Ghana will look to exploit space behind England’s midfield three, with André Ayew and Jordan Ayew leading the charge.
• Defensive Organization: A 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 shape is expected, with Ghana prioritizing compactness to nullify England’s width.
• Direct Play: Ghana’s physical forwards (Salisu and Osei) will look to hold the ball up and play long balls to bypass England’s press.

Key Matchups to Watch

Individual duels will decide this match. The most critical battles include:

• Jordan Pickford vs. Ghana’s Attack: Pickford’s shot-stopping and distribution will be tested by Ghana’s physical strikers.
• Declan Rice vs. Thomas Partey: A midfield duel between England’s defensive anchor and Ghana’s creative hub.
• Harry Kane vs. Ghana’s Defense: Kane’s movement and finishing will be key in breaking down Ghana’s backline.
• Luke Shaw vs. Kwesi Appiah: A battle on the left flank, with Shaw looking to exploit Ghana’s defensive transitions.

How to Watch England vs Ghana Live

Global broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup are divided by region. Below are the confirmed TV and streaming options:

United Kingdom

• TV: BBC One (free-to-air)
• Streaming: BBC iPlayer (live and on-demand)

United States

• TV: Fox, Telemundo, and Univision (Spanish-language coverage)
• Streaming: Fox Sports App, Peacock, Paramount+

Canada

• TV: CBC, CBC Gem, and Sportsnet
• Streaming: CBC Gem, Sportsnet App

International (Selected Markets)

• Europe: Eurosport (varies by country)
• Middle East: OSN Sports
• Asia-Pacific: Fox Sports Asia
• Latin America: ESPN and Telemundo

Note: For full international broadcast details, visit the official FIFA broadcasting page.

What’s at Stake for Both Teams

England and Ghana enter this match with different objectives:

England’s World Cup 2026 Goals

• Top-Two Finish: A win against Ghana would put England in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage, provided they manage their games against Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
• Momentum Boost: After a disappointing 2022 World Cup (group-stage exit), England will look to build confidence early.
• Youth Development: Southgate will use this match to integrate young players like Reece James and Cole Palmer.

Ghana’s World Cup 2026 Goals

• Knockout Stage Push: Ghana aims to secure at least two wins in Group A to advance, with England being a winnable match.
• Momentum After 2022: After a strong 2022 campaign (quarterfinals), Ghana will look to continue their upward trajectory.
• African Pride: A victory over England would be a statement match for African football.

Next Steps and Schedule

England’s next match in Group A is against Argentina on June 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM local time (Kansas City). Ghana’s subsequent fixture is against Saudi Arabia on June 19, 2026.

Group A Standings (After England vs Ghana):