Ghana forward Inaki Williams has made it clear that the opening fixture against Panama will be pivotal to the Black Stars' hopes of making an impact at the 2026 World Cup.Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Group L clash at BMO Field in Toronto, the Athletic Bilbao striker acknowledged the weight of expectation but insisted the team is ready to rise to the challenge."Our first game is important because it is what will give us confidence," Williams said."We need

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has surpassed the one-million spectator mark inside stadiums, hailing the achievement as another sign of the tournamentâ??s growing global appeal.Infantino shared the milestone on social media, posing alongside the competitionâ??s one-millionth fan, Aaron Bren, while holding a commemorative board marking the occasion.The FIFA chief described the achievement as a reflection of the passion and enthusiasm

As Ghana prepare to launch their 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama, forward Inaki Williams has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, urging them to embrace the pressure and seize the opportunity to create history.Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Group L opener at BMO Field in Toronto, the Athletic Bilbao striker acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the Black Stars jersey but insisted the squad is ready to rise to the challenge."We need to

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has stressed that his team will go into their World Cup 2026 opening match against Panama determined to bag all three points. Speaking in a pre-match interview ahead of the Group L meeting, the veteran Portuguese tactician noted that the game is a must-win for his side.â??It's a must-win game [against Panama. I don't remember in my life any game I played that wasn't a must-win. Our value is based on results, and the only medicine

Panama captain Anibal Godoy has expressed his determination ahead of his country's opening Group L encounter against Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting he is ready to give his all for the national team.The experienced midfielder is expected to play a key role as Panama begins their campaign against the Black Stars on Wednesday, June 17, in a match that could prove crucial to both teams' hopes of progressing from the group.Speaking before the highly anticipated

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has issued a passionate rallying cry to Ghana fans, urging them to create an intimidating atmosphere for their must-win Group L match against Panama.Acknowledging the difficult task ahead, Queiroz did not sugarcoat the pressure facing his team. He made it clear that the squad understands the high stakes of the upcoming game."We know where we are; we know the size of the mountain that we have in front of us that we have to climb," Queiroz

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has admitted his side will face a tough challenge when they take on Ghana in their opening Group L fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17.The Central American nation enters the tournament full of confidence after significant progress under the Danish manager. Despite having a strong team, Christiansen believes his team must be prepared for a difficult battle against the Black Stars."We have seen the matches here at the

Panama captain Aníbal Godoy says the squad is determined to make history when they face Ghana in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.The experienced midfielder spoke with confidence during Panama's official pre-match press conference in Toronto, insisting the team is ready to translate its encouraging preparations into a strong performance against the Black Stars.Godoy pointed to Panama's recent friendly draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina as

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has expressed confidence in his team's chances against Ghana while acknowledging the challenge that awaits them in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Central Americans arrived in Toronto on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's Group L clash at Toronto Stadium after completing their final training session at their Nottawasaga base camp.Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Christiansen praised the Black Stars'

For 85 minutes at MetLife Stadium, Senegal's World Cup opener against France was a story of what might have been.Nicolas Jackson had hit the post. Ismaila Sarr had blazed over from point-blank range. The chances came and went, and the Lions of Teranga were left to chase a French side that had found its rhythm through Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola.Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, a teenager who wasn't even born when Senegal last faced France at a World

Thomas Partey's absence has left Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz with his biggest tactical decision ahead of the Black Stars' opening 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against Panama, but his only match in charge offers a strong indication of how he could reshape the midfield.The Villarreal midfielder was ruled out after losing his appeal against Canada's decision to deny him entry into the country, forcing Queiroz to rethink the heart of his team just hours before kickoff.In

Ghana's Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged the Black Stars to play with courage, unity and determination as they prepare to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama.The Vice President delivered the message during a visit to Ghana's team hotel in Toronto on Tuesday, where she met the players, technical team and officials ahead of Wednesday's crucial Group L opener at BMO Field.Conveying the goodwill of President John Dramani

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku believes the Black Stars are ready to "rewrite the story" as they prepare to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday.Speaking during Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's visit to the team's hotel in Toronto, Okraku expressed confidence that the players and technical team are fully prepared to meet the expectations of Ghanaians."One thing is very clear,

Thomas Partey's bid to secure entry into Canada ahead of Ghana's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was dismissed after a Federal Court judge concluded that the midfielder had failed to meet the legal requirements for emergency relief.Justice Roger R. Lafreniere delivered the ruling on Tuesday, rejecting Partey's motion and allowing Canada's decision to deny him entry to remain in force.Here are the key reasons behind the decision:1. The court could not

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Black Stars' opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Thomas Partey lost his appeal against Canada's decision to deny him entry into the country.The Canadian court's ruling means Partey will play no part in Wednesday's Group L clash against Panama in Toronto, depriving Queiroz of one of his most experienced players for Ghana's tournament opener.The Portuguese coach had remained

France opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Senegal, eventually pulling away in the second half after a difficult first half of limited opportunitiesThe two-time world champions struggled to find their rhythm at the start of the contest at MetLife Stadium, with Senegal creating the better chances before the break.However, Didier Deschampsâ?? side returned from the break with greater intensity and control, as Kylian Mbappé and Bradley

Panama's chances of causing an upset in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a significant lift after Ghana were officially deprived of midfield star Thomas Partey for the Group L encounter.The Black Stars will be without one of their most influential players after the 32-year-old lost his emergency appeal against Canada's decision to deny him entry into the country.The ruling brings an end to days of uncertainty that had overshadowed Ghana's

Canada has successfully defended its decision to deny Thomas Partey entry into the country, with a court dismissing the Ghana midfielder's emergency appeal just hours before the Black Stars' opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The ruling means Partey will miss Ghana's Group L opener against Panama in Toronto, despite an intensive diplomatic and legal effort by the Ghanaian government to overturn the decision.The case has also intensified debate over visa and

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has refused to allow the uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey's visa situation to distract Ghana's preparations for their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting his sole focus remains on beating Panama.Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, Queiroz told reporters he already has a plan in place regardless of whether Partey is cleared to join the squad before kickoff.The Ghana midfielder remains in the United

Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh believes Morocco's 1-1 draw with Brazil in the 2026 World Cup opener was missed opportunity because the Atlas Lions lacked a world-class finisher like Nigeria's Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman.Saturday's match in Group E saw the African champions dominate statistically but fail to secure the win against the Selecao, despite Ismaël Saibari's delicate lob over Alisson in the 21st minute.Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti