Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group L
Croatiavs
Ghana
Saturday, June 27, 2026 · 5:00 p.m. ET · Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia, PA
Watch: FS1 · Universo
My pick: Croatia win · locked 2026-06-26 11:50 UTCPrediction
Croatia to win the game they have to win. Zlatko Dalić's side sit third on three points and almost certainly must beat Ghana to reach the last 32, while Ghana (four points) can likely advance with a draw. Croatia carry the greater attacking quality — Luka Modrić pulling the strings, Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić providing the threat — and the urgency of a must-win game. Ghana's miserly defence, which has conceded just once, makes this awkward, but Croatia's need and class should edge it in Philadelphia. 2-1 Croatia.
The case for Croatia
45% to winCroatia have the tournament pedigree and, with elimination staring them down, the motivation to throw everything forward. Modrić remains a magician in tight spaces, Mateo Kovačić gives them control and Petar Musa offers a focal point. A fast start to settle the nerves and Croatia's quality should overwhelm a Ghana side set up to contain.
The case for Ghana
27% to winGhana have been resolute, conceding only once in two games, and a draw is probably enough to send them through as runners-up or a best third. Carlos Queiroz's side defend in numbers, break through the pace of the Williams brothers and Antoine Semenyo, and have the discipline to frustrate Croatia and take whatever chance comes.
Both cases written 2026-06-26, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.
Croatia 4-2-3-14-1-4-1 GhanaThe briefing
Storylines
- Croatia (three points) likely must win to advance; Ghana (four) can probably progress with a draw.
- Ghana have conceded just one goal in the group, the meanest defence in Group L.
- Croatia rely on the evergreen Luka Modrić to unlock a stubborn Ghanaian block.
- Played in the open air at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia for the early evening kickoff.
The coaches
Zlatko Dalić Croatia
In charge since 2017, he builds Croatia around Modrić and Kovačić in a possession-based 4-2-3-1.
Carlos Queiroz Ghana
The vastly experienced Portuguese coach has Ghana organised, compact and dangerous on the break.
Availability
| Squad | Dalić expected to field his strongest available XI in a must-win game | Pre-match previews (June 26, 2026) · 2026-06-26 |
| Squad | Queiroz has no fresh injury concerns reported ahead of the decider | Pre-match previews (June 26, 2026) · 2026-06-26 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Universo in Spanish (stream on Peacock); the free Tubi simulcast carries the Spanish feed. (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-26)
Weather: Open-air at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia for the early evening kickoff — warm, humid Mid-Atlantic summer conditions. (NWS Philadelphia seasonal climatology, as of 2026-06-26)
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia, PA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.
