World Cup 2026: Jordan Ayew eyes England showdown to silence Ghana’s doubters

Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has described the Black Stars’ upcoming World Cup meeting with England as a “special game”, as he prepares to face a country he considers his “third home” on football’s biggest stage.

The Group L encounter on June 26 is shaping up to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round, with Ghana seeking to boost their chances of reaching the knockout phase against one of the tournament favourites. Croatia and Panama complete the group.

For Ayew, the occasion carries extra significance. The forward has spent more than a decade in English football, turning out for Aston Villa, Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Leicester City since arriving in the Premier League during the 2015-16 campaign.

“It’s going to be a special game. I’ve been there for 10 years; it’s like my third home because France is my second home,” Ayew said.

“They’ve been good to me. There have been ups and downs, I’ve experienced everything there, and I have really, really enjoyed my time there.”

Ready to answer the critics

Despite his affection for England, Ayew’s focus remains firmly on leading Ghana to a memorable result. The experienced attacker believes the Black Stars have been underestimated heading into the tournament and is eager to prove critics wrong.

“We have to prove ourselves and we have to show that we have quality, and we have to be ready for the challenge,” he said.

“We all know it’s going to be difficult, but we are ready. Obviously, I know people don’t think that we will do well, so that is good.”

“I like it when people think like that. We will see when we get there.”

Ayew enters the tournament as one of Africa’s most influential performers in qualifying. The Ghana skipper registered 14 direct goal involvements, scoring seven times and providing seven assists. That tally matched Algeria forward Mohammed Amoura for the highest contribution total in the CAF qualification campaign.

Carrying Ghana’s hopes

The 34-year-old’s leadership could prove crucial as Ghana attempt to reverse a worrying World Cup trend. The Black Stars have won just one of their last seven matches at the finals, drawing two and losing four, with their lone victory coming against South Korea in Qatar four years ago.

Ayew, however, appears undeterred by history or external expectations. Instead, he sees the clash with England as the ideal stage for Ghana to demonstrate its quality and challenge perceptions.

With a career built largely in English football and a nation looking to make a statement, Ayew now stands on the brink of a reunion unlike any other, one he hopes will end with Ghana delivering a World Cup shock.