England can book their place in the World Cup knockout stage on Tuesday night – but standing in their way is a Ghana side reborn under Carlos Queiroz and spearheaded by a Manchester City winger who has finally found his international groove.
The Three Lions sit top of Group L after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match. A second straight win would put them on six points and, under the tournament’s expanded 48-team format – where the top two from each of the 12 groups plus the eight best third-placed teams advance – would virtually guarantee progression to the last 32. Victory would also give England the crucial head-to-head advantage over the Black Stars in any two-way tie, after FIFA introduced head-to-head record as the primary tie-breaker for level teams, replacing overall goal difference.
“England can seal a last-32 spot with victory over Ghana, but face a side revitalised under Carlos Queiroz and led by Antoine Semenyo.”
But Ghana arrive with momentum and a point to prove. Their build-up was chaotic: coach Otto Addo was dismissed just 72 days before the tournament following a string of poor results, and the experienced Queiroz – taking charge at his fifth successive World Cup after stints with Portugal and Iran – was drafted in. His impact was immediate. Ghana snatched a last-gasp victory over Panama in their opener, raising hopes of a first knockout appearance since their famous quarter-final run in 2010.
Much will depend on Antoine Semenyo, the 26-year-old Manchester City winger who arrived at the World Cup fresh from scoring 17 Premier League goals in 2025-26 and finishing third in the Golden Boot standings. His £65m January move to City paid instant dividends: he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final and helped the club win two trophies. Genuinely two‑footed, he has taken 103 shots with his left and 95 with his right over the past two league campaigns, playing equal minutes on both wings. Yet his international record remains puzzling – just three goals in 35 caps and one in his past 28. If he replicates his club form, England will have their hands full.
Another threat is 20-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi of Nordsjaelland, a box‑to‑box player who scored a 94th‑minute winner against Panama. Former coach Addo played him out of position at right‑back, but Queiroz has restored him to midfield, where he led the Danish top flight for possession won in the opposition’s final third (26) and ball recoveries (205) this season. A national robot‑building champion at 13, Yirenkyi now looks to engineer another upset.
The permutations are simple: England win the group if they beat Ghana and Panama fail to beat Croatia. Ghana guarantee top spot if they beat England and Croatia fail to beat Panama. But head‑to‑head now rules the day, making every goal in the direct encounter count.
Kick‑off is at 20:00 BST, live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.