World Cup 2026: Tuchel’s England Can Cope with the Black Stars

England vs Ghana

England’s World Cup 2026 campaign continues on Tuesday when they meet Ghana at the Boston Stadium; but there will be no tea-party welcome for the Black Stars.

The Three Lions kicked off their campaign with a statement 4-2 win over 2022 semi-finalists Croatia while Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana scraped to a 1-0 win over Panama, and another point from their next two games should see them through to the Round of 32, but against England and Croatia that is easier written than done.  

After an impressive start, the World Cup 2026 betting odds say England are now in the top three favourites to lift the title, and a win over Ghana in Boston will only strengthen that argument. Meanwhile, Croatia will try to get their Group L campaign started when they meet Panama on Tuesday evening.  

 

Talking Points

Tuchel will be patient with Saka  

England picked up the near-perfect start to their campaign. Okay they conceded two goals and questions of the defence will be asked, but it’s all about World Cup 2026 results; and 4-2 against a strong Croatia side is a good one. After captain marvel Harry Kane had scored a first half brace and Jude Bellingham had put England 3-2 ahead after the break, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka came off the bench to tee up Marcus Rashford for England’s fourth and a comfortable finish to the game. 

Saka missed seven games of the Gunners’ successful title run as he has been nursing an Achilles injury and Tuchel has been careful not to overload the winger in training, and the head coach has suggested Saka will play a reduced role again against the Black Stars. The 24-year-old star could be a crucial player in the latter stages of the tournament so there could be another start for his Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke, who won the opening penalty against Croatia. 

Rashford finished smartly in the 85^th minute against the Croats but he was complaining of a tight hamstring in the aftermath. He seems to have shaken that off and is in contention to play some part again on Tuesday. After helping Barcelona to a successful La Liga title defence, the former Manchester United star has recovered his best form, but I expect Antony Gordon to continue on the left wing where he started against Croatia.  

 

Wily Queiroz has been around the block 

Ghana’s veteran head coach urged his team’s fans to celebrate with gusto after his side had edged a tight match against Panama, and his understanding of the importance of togetherness could see the Black Stars make it through to the knockout phase. He was only appointed to his position two months ago, but Queiroz is at his fifth consecutive World Cup finals, having guided Portugal to the tournament in 2010, and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022. 

Queiroz masterminded something of a smash and grab against Los Canaleros, his side didn’t register a single shot in the opening half and while Panama were wasteful in front of goal, Ghana played until the last and Caleb Yirenkyi bundled the ball home in the fifth minute of stoppage time to spark wild celebrations in the stands. 

While they spent much of their clash with Panama on the back foot, Ghana’s biggest goal threat is Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, a player well known to England’s Premier League stars, while Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams provides the guile on the flank. But I suspect Jerome Apoku and Jonas Adjei at the heart of the Black Stars defence will have their work cut out against a multi-faceted England attack.  

 

History

These two nations have met just once before, playing out a 1-1 draw in the friendly match back in 2011. And now they meet again on England’s 17^th appearance at a World Cup finals, still hoping to add to their one success in 1966. Ghana are at their fifth World Cup finals and they would be delighted to get anywhere near their best effort of a quarter-final appearance back in 2010. 

England’s 2026 form has been good with three wins, one draw and one defeat, a 1-0 setback to Japan in March. Meanwhile Ghana have won one, drawn one and lost three this year….but are unbeaten in two.     

 

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP, odds of 1.22 the Three Lions are red hot favourites to win this clash, and I expect Tuchel’s men to do the business. If you disagree then Ghana can be backed at 12.50 to win or 6.10 to draw, with the Double Chance at 4.33. But I’ve gone for the most likely score-line and a comfortable victory for England.

   

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