Ghana’s Black Stars will begin their fifth FIFA World Cup campaign on Wednesday night when they take on Panama at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
The Group L encounter marks the first-ever senior international meeting between the two nations and could prove crucial in a group that also features England and Croatia.
Both teams will be eager to start their tournament with a positive result as they seek qualification to the knockout stage.
The Black Stars arrived in Toronto on Monday after completing a 10-day training camp at Bryant University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Coach Carlos Queiroz’s side concluded their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Wales in an international friendly in Cardiff on June 2.
Speaking ahead of the match, Queiroz expressed confidence in his squad and confirmed that all players are available for selection.
“We did everything possible to have our players ready for tomorrow,” he said. “All games are a must-win. The only medicine that works in football is to win.”
The Portuguese coach also called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team.
“We know the size of the mountain that we have in front of us that we have to climb. But we need player number 12. I hope the drums of Ghana will be 90 minutes in our hearts to help us beat our opponents,” he added.
Captain Jordan Ayew leads a balanced squad that combines experienced players such as Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Gideon Mensah, Baba Abdul Rahman and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi with emerging talents including Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah, Caleb Yirenkyi, Joas Adjetey and Kamal Deen Sulemana.
Panama, Ghana’s opponent, is making only their second appearance at the tournament after debuting in Russia in 2018.
Head coach Thomas Christiansen has an experienced squad led by captain Aníbal Godoy, midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, defender Michael Amir Murillo and striker Ismael Díaz.
Ghana head into the game in good form, having gone unbeaten in six World Cup qualifying matches in 2025.
Panama has also impressed recently, remaining unbeaten in their 2026 qualifying campaign and winning the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. GMT) on Wednesday, June 17, at BMO Field in Toronto.
