2026 World Cup: Black Stars depart Rhode Island for Toronto ahead of opener against Panama

The Black Stars of Ghana have left Rhode Island for Toronto as preparations intensify for their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The four-time African champions have been based in the United States since arriving for the tournament last week, using the period to fine-tune their preparations ahead of their Group L campaign.

Ghana will begin their World Cup journey against Panama on Wednesday, June 16, in what is expected to be a crucial opening fixture for both sides.

Ahead of the encounter, the Black Stars are scheduled to hold their official training session at BMO Field on Tuesday, giving head coach and his technical team a final opportunity to assess the squad before kick-off.

The match against the Central Americans is set to start at 19:00 GMT.

Following their opening game, Ghana will return to the United States for their remaining group-stage fixtures. The Black Stars will face England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 before concluding their Group L campaign against Croatia on June 27.

Ghana heads into the tournament determined to end a run of disappointing World Cup campaigns.

The West Africans have failed to progress beyond the group stage in their last two appearances, exiting in the first round at the 2014 tournament in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The Black Stars will be aiming to reach the knockout stage for the first time since their historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.