2026 World Cup: Beating Panama feels good – Black Stars defender Gideon Mensah

Black Stars defender Gideon Mensah has lauded his teammates for their determination and composure following Ghana's hard-fought victory over Panama in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The four-time African champions marked their fifth appearance at the Mundial with a narrow 1-0 win over the Central American side on Wednesday night at BMO Field.

A late strike from Caleb Yirenkyi proved decisive as Ghana secured all three points to begin their Group L campaign on a positive note.

Speaking after the match, Mensah expressed delight over the team's winning start, emphasizing the importance of collecting maximum points in their opening fixture.

​"I think it feels very good for us. Obviously, coming to the World Cup for the first game, getting three points feels good for us, the players. I think people back home and the people in the stadium here from Ghana, they're also happy that we got the first three points."

Mensah revealed that the atmosphere inside the stadium initially made communication difficult among the players, but the team adjusted well after the break and remained confident that their opportunity would come.

​"The longer the game went on, it looked as if it was going to be 0-0. Yeah, of course [we kept believing]. I think when the game started, obviously, it was a bit too loud for us to talk on the field. But then in the second half, we made sure that we stayed in the game. So we knew that something was going to happen."

The left-back added that the Black Stars remained aware of how fine the margins can be in opening World Cup matches and were determined to ensure the result swung in their favour.

​"Games like this, you never know. It's either you're losing 1-0, or you're winning 1-0. So I think we were on the better side to get a goal."

The victory leaves Ghana in a strong early position in Group L with two matches still to play. Otto Addo's side will next take on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Croatia on June 27.

The Black Stars will be aiming to build on their encouraging start as they seek to advance beyond the group stage and reach the knockout rounds for the first time since their historic quarter-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup.