Having won promotion to the Premier League with Coventry City last season, Ghana’s Brandon Thomas-Asante wants his memorable year to continue by beating Colombia in Kansas to reach the World Cup 2026 last 16.
The Black Stars saw off Panama with a 95th-minute winner and held England to a 0-0 draw before their unblemished defensive record ended with a 2-1 defeat to 2018 finalists Croatia in Group L.
“We’re glad that when we look around the dressing room, we see a lot of talent [and] a lot of ability,” said the forward, via Ghana’s website.
“[There is] a lot of hunger to go and make a name for ourselves as a nation and keep that legacy going.”
Colombia have been even more impressively resolute, going more than four hours without conceding since their opening 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
Daniel Munoz scored the only goal in their victory over DR Congo and Davinson Sanchez had a late header ruled out for offside in their 0-0 draw with Portugal to top Group K ahead of the Selecao.
“We cannot take away people’s dreams,” said midfielder Richard Rios. “To the Colombian people: the dream is there.
“I feel both them and us have a lot of hope, but with humility, feet on the ground, keeping at it step by step, day by day.
“We are working hard on the mistakes we’ve made and on everything we are doing well, but I can’t take away the excitement. We are Colombians, and that is what keeps us alive.”
The tie winners will face Switzerland or Algeria, who meet in Vancouver on Friday (04:00 BST), in the last 16 in the Canadian city on Tuesday (21:00).
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World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana team news
Centre-back Jerome Opoku is back in contention for Ghana after missing the defeat to Croatia through injury.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to start despite suffering ankle discomfort at the end of the group stage.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi is likely to be on the bench following a groin issue.
Crystal Palace wideman Munoz will hope to regain his place, having scored once in each of Colombia’s first two fixtures and set up Sanchez’s disallowed goal after replacing Santiago Arias in the 87th minute against Portugal.
Colombia made changes for the first time on matchday three as Munoz, Johan Mojica and Luis Suarez made way for Arias, Deiver Machado and Jhon Cordoba.
Suarez scored four goals in South American qualifying, putting the forward level with the likes of Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Colombia v Ghana: World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Deiver Machado, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba, Luis Diaz
Ghana starting XI: Benjamin Asare, Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen, Gideon Mensah, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jordan Ayew
Where to watch Colombia v Ghana: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 02:30 BST (21:30 ET / 18:30 PT, both Friday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana stats
- Colombia have won each of their last four World Cup matches against African nations, while Ghana have failed to prevail in any of their three games at the finals against South American opposition
- Los Cafeteros could record three successive World Cup clean sheets for the first time
- James Rodriguez could make a record-equalling 10th World Cup start for Colombia, moving level with Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincon
- The playmaker surpassed Valderrama and Rincon for the most games for Colombia at the finals (11) by playing against Portugal on matchday three
- In that 0-0 draw, Colombia produced their most attempts (24) in a World Cup game since records began in 1966
- Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz briefly managed Colombia between 2019 and 2020, departing following a poor start to their unsuccessful 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign
- Queiroz is the second coach to appear at five successive editions of the World Cup, after Bora Milutinovic
- At 73 years and 108 days of age, Queiroz briefly became the oldest manager to win a finals game following the last-gasp victory over Panama, although South Africa’s Hugo Broos then overtook him (74 years, 75 days)
- The Black Stars’ average of 36.1% of possession during the group stage was the second-lowest of any side who advanced, after Paraguay (33.9%)
- Semenyo is yet to register an effort on target at this World Cup, with his three attempts yielding a total of 0.13 expected goals
World Cup 2026: Colombia v Ghana prediction
Colombia 1-0 Ghana
As well as Sanchez’s effort, Colombia had much of the momentum and six of the eight efforts on target against a feared Portugal team. Ghana have been hard to break down but may need to offer more in attack if they are to avoid defeat, having had a solitary accurate attempt in each of their last two matches.
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