Ghana great Asamoah Gyan has backed the Black Stars to challenge expectations and potentially cause an upset when they face England in a crucial Group L match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former captain believes Ghana have the quality and mentality to compete with one of the tournament favourites despite England entering Tuesday’s contest in Boston as the more highly rated side.
Both nations go into the fixture with three points after winning their opening matches, meaning the outcome could have a significant impact on the battle for top spot in the group and qualification for the Round of 32.
England began their campaign with an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia, a result that strengthened their status as one of the leading contenders in the tournament. Ghana, meanwhile, made a winning start of their own, although they were forced to wait until stoppage time before securing a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Panama thanks to a decisive goal from Caleb Yirenkyi.
While England’s opening performance has made them favourites for the encounter, Gyan believes tournament football is often unpredictable and insists Ghana should not be underestimated.
“On paper, England are ahead of Ghana, but in a tournament, anything can happen,” Gyan said.
“It all depends on how each team approaches the game.”
The former striker’s comments reflect his confidence in the Black Stars’ ability to rise to the occasion on football’s biggest stage. Having represented Ghana at three FIFA World Cups, Gyan is no stranger to major international tournaments and understands the pressures and opportunities they present.
As Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer and the country’s highest scorer at the FIFA World Cup, he remains one of the most influential figures in the history of Ghanaian football. His experiences with the national team have convinced him that the Black Stars are often at their strongest when expectations from outside observers are limited.
According to Gyan, the spirit surrounding the team and the backing they receive from supporters can play a significant role in helping them compete against higher-ranked opponents.
“We know our national team, and that’s why we love them. The people back home are passionate.”
The match against England represents one of the biggest tests facing Ghana in the group stage. Victory would place Carlos Queiroz’s side in a strong position to secure progression to the knockout rounds before their final group match against Croatia.
A positive result could also hand the Black Stars sole control of first place in Group L, depending on other outcomes, and further enhance confidence within the squad as the tournament progresses.
England, however, will arrive with similar ambitions. After their convincing win over Croatia, they will be aiming to maintain momentum and move closer to early qualification for the knockout phase.
That sets the stage for a potentially decisive encounter between two teams who began their campaigns with victories and now have the chance to strengthen their positions in the standings.
Gyan believes Ghana possess the capability to compete with England if they deliver their best display. Despite acknowledging the quality within the English side, he remains optimistic that the Black Stars can match their opponents and produce the type of performance required on a major occasion.
With qualification implications and group leadership on the line, the meeting in Boston promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the second round of Group L matches.
For Ghana, it is an opportunity to demonstrate their credentials against one of the tournament favourites. For England, it is a chance to underline their ambitions and edge closer to the Round of 32.
As anticipation builds ahead of the contest, Gyan’s message is clear: Ghana should not be discounted, and the unpredictability of World Cup football means anything remains possible.
