2026 World Cup: Ghana v Colombia preview
Ghana and Colombia are set to meet in a highly anticipated Round of 32 encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday morning at the Kansas City Stadium, with a place in the last 16 at stake.
The winner of the tie will face either Switzerland or Algeria in the next round, as the knockout stage of the tournament begins to take shape.
Ghana, competing at their fifth World Cup finals, progressed to the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams after a mixed but competitive group-stage campaign.
They opened with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, held England to a goalless draw, and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final Group L match on June 27.
Despite the setback, the Black Stars showed defensive resilience, particularly in their draw with England, and will be hopeful of causing an upset against a well-drilled Colombian side.
Colombia, meanwhile, topped Group K with seven points, finishing ahead of pre-tournament favourites Portugal. They began with a convincing 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, followed by a 1-0 victory over DR Congo, before sealing progression with a 0-0 draw against Portugal.
The South Americans arrive in strong form and with a solid defensive record, having conceded just once so far in the tournament.
Their previous World Cup pedigree also adds weight to their credentials, having reached the quarter-finals in 2014 and the last 16 in 2018.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Ghana and Colombia at senior international level, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz—familiar with the pressures of the tournament’s latter stages—will be banking on experience within his squad to navigate a difficult test.
Colombia’s Néstor Lorenzo, however, has overseen a disciplined and efficient side that has grown in confidence throughout the competition.
- Team news
Ghana remain concerned over the fitness of key attacker Antoine Semenyo, who is nursing an ankle problem, while goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi is also a doubt. Benjamin Asare is expected to continue in goal.
Jordan Ayew, who has scored 34 international goals, is set to lead the attack.
Colombia report no injury concerns, with Luis Díaz, Luis Suárez and James Rodríguez expected to spearhead their attacking line. Suárez, who was a doubt earlier in the tournament, is now fit to start.
Possible line-ups
- Colombia: Vargas, Muñoz, Lucumí, Sánchez, Mojica, Puerta, Lerma, Arias, Rodríguez, Suárez, Díaz
- Ghana: Asare, Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah, Sulemana, Partey, Owusu, Sibo, Semenyo, Ayew
Form guide
- Colombia (World Cup): WWD
- Ghana (World Cup): WDL
Prediction
Colombia enter the contest as slight favourites after an unbeaten group-stage campaign, but Ghana have shown they are capable of frustrating elite opposition with their organised defensive displays.
The Black Stars are expected to make life difficult for the South Americans, although Colombia's attacking quality and greater consistency could ultimately prove decisive.
- Ghana 1-2 Colombia