World Cup 2026: Black Stars eye historic last-16 return as Ghana face Colombia test

It will be a make-or-break encounter in Kansas City for the Black Stars of Ghana as they come up against Colombia on Friday evening for a place in the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

After successfully progressing from Group L, which had Panama, England and Croatia, Carlos Queiroz’s charges now turn their attention to Los Cafeteros in a knockout clash.

The Black Stars finished third in Group L with one win, one draw, and one loss against Panama, England, and Croatia, with Ghana’s two goals coming from Caleb Yirenkyi and Derrick Luckassen. They have conceded two across three matches. Ghana opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Panama, showed resilience in a 0-0 draw with England, and succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Croatia in the final group game.

Ghana showed resilience in the group stage, maintaining an effective defensive structure and flashes of attacking promise. Now, the Black Stars must replicate this when they come up against Colombia.

Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Antoine Semenyo, and Lawrence Ati-Zigi are all fit and available for selection. However, defender Kojo Oppong Peprah has been ruled out of the game. The competition for places remains high, with Queiroz set to name a strong side after Thursday’s training session.

Colombia topped Group K ahead of Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan, with a reputation for trademark flair, blistering pace on the flanks, and a physical, technical midfield. Led by head coach Néstor Lorenzo, Los Cafeteros are seasoned at this stage and boast a core of players competing in La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League. Their quick transitions, overlapping full-backs, and set-piece threat will test Ghana’s organisation and concentration.

Key Battles to Watch

Midfield Duel: Ghana’s double pivot vs Colombia’s creative midfield. Winning second balls will be decisive.

Wide Areas: Semenyo and the Black Stars’ wingers must track Colombia’s dangerous wide men while still offering an outlet.

Set Pieces: With both sides strong in the air, dead-ball situations could settle it.

Speaking before departure from Providence, Coach Queiroz indicated the side’s focus: “The group stage is done. In knockout football, details decide everything. We respect Colombia, but we believe in our quality and our preparation. The players know what is at stake.”

The winner advances to face the winner of the match between Switzerland and Algeria in the Round of 16. For Ghana, victory would mark the country’s first appearance in the last 16 since South Africa 2010, and a chance to reignite the spirit of that famous run.

This match is scheduled for Kansas City Stadium on Friday, 3 July 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET (1:30 a.m. Ghana Time – Saturday).

KEY FACTS

• This is the first meeting between Colombia and Ghana.

• Colombia have won four matches in a row against CAF teams at the FIFA World Cup™
• 
  since a 2-1 extra-time defeat against Cameroon in the 1990 round of 16 – their first such encounter and their only previous knockout fixture against an African opponent.

• This is Colombia’s third successive qualification to the knockout phase, and their fourth overall.

• La Tricolor progressed though the group stage unbeaten for only the second time. The only previous instance came back in 2014, when they went on to win their opening five fixtures before a 2-1 quarter-final defeat against Brazil.

• The 0-0 draw against Portugal was the first time in 25 FIFA World Cup™ encounters that Colombia have been involved in a goalless draw. They had not failed to score in their previous 11 matches in the competition.

• Colombia have kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup matches.

• Juan Quintero could make his tenth World Cup appearance, becoming only the fourth Colombian player to reach the landmark.

• Ghana remain winless in their three FIFA World Cup matches against South American opposition, with defeats to Brazil (3-0) in 2006 and Uruguay (2-0) in 2022, bookending their 2010 quarter‑final exit to Uruguay, when a 1-1 draw after extra time led to a decisive
  penalty shoot‑out loss.

• The Black Stars have qualified for the knockout stage for the first time since making back-to- back appearances in 2006 and 2010.

• Ghana’s only win in a knockout phase fixture is their 2-1 extra-time triumph over the USA in the 2010 round of 16.

• Only one of Ghana’s 18 World Cup matches has finished goalless.

• Jordan Ayew could become only the third player to reach ten World Cup appearances for Ghana – after Asamoah Gyan, who made 11 outings, and André Ayew, who is on ten.

• Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz managed Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020, leading them at the 2019 Copa América in Brazil. Surviving members of that Colombia squad on duty at this FIFA World Cup, and now in opposition to Queiroz, are David Ospina, Santiago Arias, James Rodríguez, Camilo Vargas, Yerry Mina, Luis Díaz, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Lucumí and Davinson Sánchez.