Ghana Set for Colombia Clash in World Cup Round of 32 Following Narrow Defeat to Croatia

Ghana’s Black Stars have secured a spot in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final Group L fixture. Finishing third in the group with four points, Ghana advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, contributing to a historic milestone for African football. With nine nations from the continent progressing to the knockout stages—including Nigeria, Senegal, and Morocco—the 2026 edition marks the most successful collective performance by African teams in World Cup history.

The match against Croatia was a tactical battle that saw the Black Stars concede their first goal of the tournament in the 31st minute, when Petar Sučić found the net with a long-range strike. Under the guidance of coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana responded with a more aggressive approach in the second half. This tactical shift paid off in the 76th minute when Derrick Luckassen equalized, a goal that was upheld following a VAR review. However, the hopes of securing a draw were dashed in the 83rd minute when Nikola Vlašić headed home a corner delivered by Luka Modrić to seal the victory for Croatia.

Ghana’s path to the knockout stage was built on a resilient defensive foundation earlier in the group stage, which included a 1-0 victory over Panama and a hard-fought 0-0 draw against England. Although they were unable to top the group—which was ultimately won by England with seven points, followed by Croatia with six—the Black Stars' overall performance has been commendable. The team showed significant discipline and tactical order throughout the group phase, exceeding many pre-tournament expectations under Queiroz's leadership.

As FIFA unveils the complete knockout bracket for the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Black Stars are now shifting focus to their high-stakes encounter with Colombia. The South American side enters the Round of 32 as the winners of Group K. The match is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at 1:30 a.m. Ghana time. Despite the late heartbreak against Croatia, the Ghanaian squad remains determined to advance further, carrying the hopes of a continent that has seen nearly all its representatives reach the elimination rounds.