World Cup 2026: Asamoah Gyan backs Ghana to shock England in crucial Group L showdown

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan believes the Black Stars have every chance of causing an upset when they face England in a pivotal Group L clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.

The match in Boston brings together the two teams at the top of the group after both opened their campaigns with victories. England defeated Croatia 4-2 in one of the most entertaining games of the tournament so far, while Ghana needed a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Caleb Yirenkyi to secure a 1-0 victory over Panama.

Despite England’s status as one of the tournament favourites, Gyan insists World Cup football has repeatedly shown that reputation and rankings do not always determine results.

“On paper, England are ahead of Ghana, but in a tournament, anything can happen.

It all depends on how each team approaches the game.”

The former Black Stars captain knows better than most what it takes to perform on football’s biggest stage. Gyan remains Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer and the country’s highest scorer in World Cup history, having represented the Black Stars at three separate tournaments.

Drawing on that experience, the 39-year-old believes Ghana can thrive when expectations are low.

“We know our national team, and that’s why we love them. The people back home are passionate.”

Gyan’s confidence comes despite the obvious challenge facing Carlos Queiroz’s men. England boast one of the strongest squads at the World Cup, led by captain Harry Kane and midfield star Jude Bellingham. The Three Lions also demonstrated their depth against Croatia, with substitutes playing a major role in securing victory.

However, Ghana have reasons to believe they can compete. The likely return of Thomas Partey would strengthen the midfield significantly, while players such as Antoine Semenyo, Ernest Nuamah and match-winner Caleb Yirenkyi provide pace and energy in attack.

The Black Stars have also shown resilience under Queiroz. Although they were far from their best against Panama, they remained disciplined defensively and found a way to secure all three points, a quality that often proves valuable in tournament football.

With both teams sitting on three points, the stakes could hardly be higher. A victory for Ghana would place them in an excellent position to qualify for the Round of 32 ahead of their final group match against Croatia.

England, meanwhile, know another win could secure early qualification and potentially top spot in Group L.

Having witnessed Ghana produce memorable performances on the World Cup stage throughout his career, Gyan remains convinced that the Black Stars are capable of rising to the occasion once again.

For Ghana’s greatest World Cup goalscorer, the message is simple: England may be favourites, but the Black Stars should not be written off in a tournament where surprises are never far away.