Sports analysts, former football players, and the general public have expressed their reservations about Ghana’s Group L clash with England later tonight, Tuesday, June 23.

While some have plainly predicted a loss for Ghana, including former Ghana international Odartey Lamptey, who said the Black Stars would lose to the Three Lions, the Black Stars coach has said the match is the easiest game to win.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference at Boston Stadium, USA, ahead of Ghana’s World Cup group-stage clash with England on Monday, June 22, Carlos Queiroz said facing a team of England’s calibre at the World Cup is the “easiest type of game” to approach.

“This is the easiest type of match because, when you’re about to play against England, France or Germany, you don’t need to say anything to the players. They’re fully motivated.

“Everybody is fully switched on, and everybody wants to perform well. What we have to do in this type of game is try to moderate the enthusiasm, but mainly we need to work together. This is the most important thing tomorrow. Whatever happens, we need to stick together and fight together for over 90 full minutes. We know they have the Three Lions on their shirt, but we come from Ghana and have 33 million lions to fight for this game,” he added.

His comments come at a time when both sides are looking to secure a place in the last 32.

This is the 73-year-old Portuguese's first World Cup campaign with Ghana after taking charge in April and his ninth role as a national team manager.

Responding to a question regarding his side’s 2-6 heavy defeat to England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar while managing Iran, he said:

“In football, four years is like a century, so I don’t even remember where that was. I was not defeated. In football, we never lose. We win, or we learn. We learned a couple of lessons that day,” said Queiroz.

After opening their campaign in North America with a 1-0 win over Panama, Queiroz can guide Ghana into the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2010 with victory over England in Boston on Tuesday.

“It’s another game. All games are different; it’s a different team on the pitch and a different environment. The reputations and prestige of results in the past are significant when they are written in the press, but they cannot win games. Memories don’t win games, so tomorrow will be another story.”

England made a strong start in Group L with an eye-catching 4-2 win over Croatia, although they showed signs of vulnerability in defence.

They are unbeaten in eight previous matches against African opposition at the World Cup but will be facing Ghana in a competitive fixture for the first time.

Queiroz also said a late decision would be made on goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who was forced off through injury in the win over Panama.

Partey to play Ghana-England fixture

Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey says he is ready to return to action after being unable to join Ghana’s squad in Canada for their opening 2026 World Cup match against Panama last week.

He was denied entry due to his current legal battle regarding sexual assault charges in the UK.

Speaking to the media on Monday, June 22, Thomas Partey admitted the difficult times he went through when he was denied from playing the opener and had to watch from the sidelines. He has now recovered and is ready to play.

“Well, I think it’s part of football. Things happen in football that you cannot control. So, for me, now I feel okay, and I’m ready to play,” Partey told reporters on Monday.

After being cleared to join the squad in the United States, Partey is expected to make his first appearance of the tournament against England.