Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic expects Ghana to be dangerous on counter-attacks in their Group L decider against his side in Philadelphia on Saturday.
The Black Stars have beaten Panama and drawn with England to put themselves second behind the Three Lions and a point above Croatia before the closing round of group matches.
“We have been patient,” said Dalic, noting that Ante Budimir’s goal in the 2018 finalists’ 1-0 win over Panama came from a move started on a flank.
“That is how we will play. Ghana have played both games in a low block. We were not at the level we need and want to be at [against Panama], but we remain positive.
“We wanted three points and we got them, but it was unexpectedly difficult.”
Carlos Queiroz felt Ghana would have had a penalty and an extra player in their 0-0 draw against England but for inaction from the Video Assistant Referee team.
“Everything is open,” the former Real Madrid and Portugal boss said of the group before Croatia emulated his team’s result against Panama.
“Croatia and Panama have wonderful teams. To collect points at this World Cup, you have to pay a high price.
“Wins and points are terribly expensive. When you get three points or one point, you have to celebrate because it takes a lot of running, sacrifice, commitment, work, suffering and emotion during a game.”
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World Cup 2026: Croatia v Ghana team news
Petar Musa was Croatia’s lone starting striker against Panama but was replaced by Budimir at half-time.
Having returned for his country this month following injury, Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol played throughout their 4-2 opening defeat to England but made way at the interval on matchday two.
“He broke his leg six months ago and it’s great how he’s come back,” said Dalic. “He’s not in the form he could be – we have to wait for him.
“He’s only been in full swing for a month and a half. He needs time. He’ll come back and be even better.
“We’ll see what we can change against Ghana. We’ll stay in the system we played in.”
Petar Sucic will be banned for a potential last-32 tie if the midfielder is booked.
Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi missed matchday two with a groin issue.
Prince Kwabena Adu, who was challenged by Ezri Konsa in the incident that led to Queiroz questioning the officiating, came on as a substitute but was replaced 28 minutes later.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi and forward Inaki Williams must avoid cautions or incur suspensions.
Croatia v Ghana World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Croatia starting XI: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Marin Pongracic, Marco Pasalic, Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir
Ghana starting XI: Benjamin Asare, Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku, Gideon Mensah, Inaki Williams, Caleb Yirenkyi, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew
Where to watch Croatia v Ghana: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV4.
Streaming is available through ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Croatia v Ghana stats
- Luka Modric made his 200th appearance for Croatia by starting against Panama. On matchday one against England, however, the midfielder played the fewest minutes (58) of any of his 34 starts across the World Cup and EURO
- Croatia and France are the only teams to have reached the semi-finals at each of the last two World Cup tournaments
- In Croatia’s previous six World Cup participations, they were either eliminated in the group stage (3) or reached the semi-finals (3), including a run to the final in 2018
- Dalic is the first head coach to lead Croatia at five major international tournaments: World Cup 2018, EURO 2020, World Cup 2022, EURO 2024, World Cup 2026
- Among current coaches, only Didier Deschamps with France (21) has taken charge of more World Cup games than Dalic’s 16 with Croatia
- Ghana could win two group stage matches at the World Cup for the second time in their history, previously beating Czechia and the USA in 2006
- They have failed to win any of their last five matches against European opposition in the competition (D2 L3)
- Before their successive clean sheets to start these finals, Ghana had conceded in each of their preceding 10 World Cup matches since a shutout against Serbia during the 2010 group stage (1-0)
- Jordan Ayew was involved in 14 goals during qualifying (7 goals, 7 assists), which is the joint-most in a CAF campaign alongside Algeria’s Mohammed Amoura (10 goals, 4 assists)
- Since their World Cup debut in 2006, Ghana have featured in five of the six editions – more than any other African nation during that period
World Cup 2026: Croatia v Ghana prediction
Croatia 1-1 Ghana
Ghana are underdogs but have looked the more solid of these sides under the astutely pragmatic Queiroz, making the draw decent value if Croatia produce a similar performance to the one with which they produced two attempts on target against Panama.
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