The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that the Black Stars will continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with an international friendly against Austria in Vienna on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The match, scheduled for Ernst Happel Stadium at 17:00 GMT, is a key component of both nations’ warm-up campaigns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Ghana’s rigorous preparation schedule is designed to test the squad against high-calibre European opposition before the global tournament kicks off in June.
The road to North America
Both Ghana and Austria have secured their berths in the quadrennial competition and are using this international window to fine-tune strategies and squad cohesion.
The Austria match is the first of two friendlies scheduled for March. Following their trip to Vienna, the Black Stars will face Germany on Monday, March 30, 2026, providing the technical team with an opportunity to assess player performance and tactical flexibility against top-tier opposition.
Group stage opponents
In the World Cup, Ghana has been drawn in Group I alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The friendly against Austria—who are in Group J with World Champions Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan—offers valuable insight into competing against European styles of play, allowing the coaching staff to experiment with lineups and tactics ahead of the tournament.
These selected match-ups are strategic, giving the Black Stars exposure to the diverse opposition they will encounter on the world stage.
World Cup kick-off
Ghana’s campaign will begin on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, against Panama in Toronto. They will then travel to Boston to face England on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
The March friendlies are viewed by the technical staff as critical opportunities to build team chemistry and sharpen competitive readiness. The nation will be watching closely in Vienna for early signs that the Black Stars are prepared for the challenges ahead.
