2026 World Cup: Carlos Queiroz urges Black Stars to embrace the suffering ahead of England clash
Carlos Queiroz has challenged the Black Stars to steel themselves for a demanding test when they face England in a decisive Group L encounter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with qualification to the knockout stage of the World Cup within reach.
“To suffer and play, we have to suffer; there is no other way,” the Ghana coach said on the eve of the high-stakes fixture. “We must be ready to make sacrifices. You have to be ready to pay the price because a win in this World Cup is very expensive. But the boys are ready to pay that price.”
The Black Stars head into the match buoyed by a disciplined 1-0 win over Panama in their opening group game, a result that has left them on the brink of reaching the last 32 for the first time since their memorable quarter-final run in South Africa in 2010.
Victory over England would not only confirm qualification but also stand among Ghana’s most significant achievements on the global stage.
Attention has also turned to the possible return of Thomas Partey, who missed the Panama fixture after visa complications linked to pending legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where he has denied all charges.
His availability for the upcoming match in the United States could provide a major boost to Ghana’s midfield strength and control.
England arrive in strong form after a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a result highlighted by goals from Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford under the increasingly attacking approach of head coach Thomas Tuchel.
A second consecutive win would put England in an even stronger position to rotate their squad ahead of their final group match against Panama.
However, Queiroz’s Black Stars are expected to lean on their pace, structure and counter-attacking threat as they aim to capitalise on any lapses from the favourites.