Croatia take on Ghana on Saturday with the 2018 runners-up looking to avoid a surprise early exit from the World Cup 2026.
Philadelphia is the setting for this intriguing encounter, which pits a vastly-experienced Croatia side, who were semi-finalists in 2022, against a defensively resolute Ghana team.
Defeat for Croatia by more than two goals could feasibly mark the end of their campaign, while a win or draw would secure progression to the round of 32.
Ghana, who are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, are in a far less precarious position. They know that, on four points, even defeat would see them through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Carlos Queiroz’s players are full of confidence after an impressive draw with England. However, the west Africans come into the game knowing that should they finish second in the group, they will play their last-32 fixture in Canada, where midfielder Thomas Partey would again miss out having been denied a visa before the Black Stars’ opener against Panama.
🥁 Jama session + matchday energy at the team hotel. Locked in and ready for Croatia tonight. ⚔️#BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/hgurKMrOSX
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 27, 2026
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World Cup 2026: Croatia confirmed team vs Ghana
Croatia make three changes, bringing in Nikola Vlasic, Ante Budimir – their matchwinner last time out – and Petar Sucic from their 1-0 win over Panama on Tuesday.
Mancheter City’s Josko Gvardiol, who recently returned from a broken leg, moves to the bench alongside Marco Pasalic and Petar Musa.
Croatia starting XI: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic
Croatia substitutes: Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic, Nikola Moro, Mario Pasalic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic, Andrej Kramaric, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa
World Cup 2026: Ghana full line up vs Croatia
Ghana also make three alterations: Derrick Luckassen, Elisha Owusu and Kamaldeen Sulemana replace Jerome Opoku, Inaki Williams and Caleb Yirenkyi.
Ghana starting XI: Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Derrick Luckassen, Marvin Senaya, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Ghana substitutes: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Joseph Anang, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Baba Rahman, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Inaki Williams, Ernest Nuamah, Prince Adu
Where to watch Croatia vs 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 vs 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
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