Ghana beat Panama with a goal in stoppage time in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup
The Ghana national team beat Panama in their opening Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, ended in a 1–0 victory for the African side.
Throughout the match, both sides created few clear-cut chances. The only goal was scored in second-half stoppage time. In the 90+5th minute, Caleb Jerenki met a cross from Brandon Thomas-Asante and slotted the ball into the Panama net.
For Ghana, this is their fifth World Cup appearance in history, following the tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022 and 2026. The team’s best result remains reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
The Panama national team is taking part in the World Cup finals for the second time. Their debut at the tournament came in 2018. On that occasion, the team suffered three defeats in the group stage against Belgium, England and Tunisia.
In the other Group L match on the first day, England beat Croatia 4–2.
In the second round, Ghana will face England on 23 June, whilst Panama will play Croatia on 24 June.
The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Mexico and Canada. For the first time, the tournament features 48 national teams, the largest number in the history of the World Cup.
The World Cup participants have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16. The tournament will then continue with the knockout stage.
