Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, have arrived in Philadelphia ahead of their decisive FIFA World Cup Group L encounter against Croatia on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The team touched down in the Pennsylvania city on Thursday evening after departing Providence, Rhode Island, where they had been based following their second group-stage match. The Black Stars held a recovery session at Bryant University on Wednesday after battling to a goalless draw against England at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad checked into their team hotel later on Thursday and are expected to hold their final training session on Friday before the highly anticipated clash at Lincoln Financial Field.
Saturday’s match carries enormous significance for Ghana, with a place in the Round of 32 at stake. The Black Stars currently sit joint top of Group L alongside England, with four points from their opening two matches. Ghana opened their campaign with a victory over Panama before securing a hard-fought draw against England.
A win against Croatia would guarantee Ghana’s progression to the knockout stage of the tournament, marking the country’s first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
The team’s arrival in Philadelphia follows a morale-boosting visit from a high-profile Ghanaian delegation in Rhode Island earlier on Thursday.
The delegation included Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and businessman Ibrahim Mahama.
The officials met with the players and technical team, offering words of encouragement and reaffirming the nation’s support as Ghana seeks to secure a place in the next round of the global tournament.
