Croatia vs Ghana confirmed squads and full line-up with Man City defender Guardiol dropped, TV channel, live stream online
Croatia face Ghana on Saturday as the 2018 runners-up look to avoid an early exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Philadelphia is the venue for this intriguing clash, which pits a more experienced Croatia side, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, against a defensively determined Ghana side.
A defeat for Croatia by more than two goals could mark the end of their campaign, while a win or a draw would secure a place in the round of 32.
Ghana, who have not conceded a goal in this tournament, are in a very bad situation. They know that, on four points, even a defeat will see them qualify as one of the eight teams in third place.
Carlos Queiroz’s players are full of confidence after the draw against England. However, the West African players will enter this match knowing that if they finish second in the group they will play their Last 32 match in Canada, where midfielder Thomas Partey will again miss his visa before the first match of the Black Stars against Panama.
🥁 Jam session + match day energy at the team hotel. Locked in and ready for Croatia tonight. ⚔️#BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/hgurKMrOSX
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 27, 2026
2026 World Cup: Croatia confirmed the group against Ghana
Croatia made three changes, bringing on Nikola Vlasic, Ante Budimir – last night’s match-winner – and Petar Sucic in their 1-0 win over Panama on Tuesday.
Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, who recently returned from a broken leg, is moved to the bench with Marco Pasalic and Petar Musa.
Croatia starting XI: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic
Change for Croatia: Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic, Nikola Moro, Mario Pasalic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic, Andrej Kramaric, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa
2026 World Cup: Ghana to face Croatia
Ghana also made three changes: Derrick Luckassen, Elisha Owusu and Kamaldeen Sulemana replaced Jerome Opoku, Inaki Williams and Caleb Yirenkyi.
Ghana starting XI: Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Derrick Luckassen, Marvin Senaya, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Ghanaian substitutes: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Joseph Anang, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Baba Rahman, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Inaki Williams, Ernest Nuamah, Prince Adu
Where to watch Croatia vs Ghana: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off is on Saturday at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). In the UK, live TV broadcasts on ITV4.
The broadcast is available via the ITV website and the ITVX app, available on a range of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Croatia vs Ghana statistics
- Luka Modric made his 200th appearance for Croatia by starting against Panama. However, on the first day against England, the midfielder played fewer minutes (58) than any of his 34 World Cup and EURO starts.
- Croatia and France are the only teams to reach the semi-finals in the last two World Cup tournaments.
- In Croatia’s last six World Cup appearances, they were eliminated from the group stage (3) or reached the semifinals (3), including a run to the final in 2018.
- Dalic is the first head coach to lead Croatia in five major international tournaments: World Cup 2018, EURO 2020, World Cup 2022, EURO 2024, World Cup 2026
- Among the current coaches, only Didier Deschamps has played with France (21) and has played more World Cup games than Dalic’s 16 playing with Croatia.
- Ghana could win two World Cup group games for the second time in their history, beating Czechia and USA in 2006.
- They have failed to win any of their last five games against European opponents in the competition (D2 L3)
- Before playing consecutive clean games at the start of the finals, Ghana had been involved in the previous 10 World Cup games since they were shut out by Serbia in 2010 in the group game (1-0).
- Jordan Ayew was involved in 14 goals during the qualifiers (7 goals, 7 assists), joint-highest in the CAF campaign with Algeria’s Mohammed Amoura (10 goals, 4 assists)
- Since its debut in the World Cup in 2006, Ghana has played in five out of six editions – more than any other African country in that time.
