England vs Ghana – Preview, team news, players to watch out for in Group L match

Marcus Rashford may not have started England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, but he certainly ended it with a bang.

Rashford secured the Three Lions’ 4–2 win over Croatia by scoring the final goal in the 85th minute after coming on as a substitute earlier in the second half.

England and Ghana are 1-0-0 at the top of Group L going into Tuesday’s meeting in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The winner will clinch their place in the knockout round and take their way to winning the group.

Rashford believes players have leaned into their roles as they look to deliver England their first World Cup title in 60 years.

“We are one team and we have to fight for each other in exactly the same way you fight for your club teams,” Rashford said in an interview published by the club. Football Association.

«That’s the norm now. We understand it’s difficult because everyone wants to play and many players deserve to play. At some point players will be disappointed, but it’s all about how you deal with it.»

Anthony Gordon started on the left wing in that match before Rashford came on, one of many examples of England’s enviable depth. Bukayo Saka and Djed Spence were among the other second-half substitutes who kept England’s attack fresh.

For Saka, however, the reason he didn’t start comes down to fitness. England manager Thomas Tuchel said the Arsenal star is struggling with an Achilles injury and Noni Madueke is likely to start on the right wing again against Ghana.

Concerns about injuries in Ghana are within limits. Lawrence Ati Zigi suffered a groin injury in the opener against Panama and was substituted at half-time. Benjamin Asare then made three saves to keep a clean sheet and Caleb Yirenkyi broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half to seal a 1-0 win.

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz said a final decision on Zigi’s availability against England would only be made after he underwent a pre-match medical assessment.

“We must be willing to make sacrifices,” Queiroz said. «You have to be prepared to pay the price, because a victory at this World Cup is very expensive. But the boys are prepared to pay that price.»

Vice-captain Thomas Partey will make his debut at this World Cup after being denied a visa to enter Canada for the match against Panama. Partey will be tried in England next year for rape and sexual assault; he denies all charges against him.

«I think it’s part of football. Things happen in football that you have no control over,» Partey said. “So for me, I feel good now and I’m ready to play.”

The defensive midfielder will see former Arsenal teammates Saka and Declan Rice at the other end of the pitch.

Published on June 23, 2026