Colombia vs Ghana – Match preview and team news
· Yahoo Sports
Kansas City Stadium hosts the final last-32 fixture of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday morning as Colombia take on Ghana, with a place in the round of 16 against Switzerland on the line.
Colombia topped Group K with seven points, beating Uzbekistan and DR Congo before drawing with Portugal. They are the only side in this last-32 phase yet to lose. Ghana came through as one of the eight best third-place teams, finishing third in Group L on four points.
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Los Cafeteros arrive as clear favourites — but Queiroz’s defensive record and the Black Stars’ capacity to frustrate far bigger sides than themselves make this anything but straightforward. The two nations have never met before in any competitive or friendly fixture.
Colombia vs Ghana – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 4 July 2026
- Kick-off: 02:30 BST
- Venue: Kansas City Stadium
- Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
Team news
Colombia
Néstor Lorenzo has no injury concerns, and a full squad is available. Daniel Muñoz returns at right back after being rested for the Portugal draw, restoring Colombia’s most dynamic wide threat. Johan Mojica comes in at left back in place of Deiver Machado.
Luis Suárez is fit to start after coming off the bench against Portugal. James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz complete the front three. The midfield of Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta provides the engine behind them.
Ghana
Antoine Semenyo is a slight doubt with an ankle issue, but is expected to start. Lawrence Ati-Zigi remains unavailable, so Benjamin Asare continues in goal. Jordan Ayew captains the side and leads the line. Inaki Williams and Semenyo provide the attacking width.
Thomas Partey anchors the midfield, with Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwasi Sibo alongside him. Yirenkyi carries a yellow card into this fixture and must exercise caution to avoid a suspension. Queiroz names an otherwise unchanged side from the Croatia defeat.
Form
Colombia
Lorenzo’s side have been one of the group stage’s most eye-catching teams. A 3–1 win over Uzbekistan was followed by a controlled 1–0 defeat of DR Congo — Colombia’s defensive record of just one goal conceded across three matches is the best in the group stage.
The goalless draw with Portugal, in which goalkeeper Camilo Vargas produced several important saves and Davinson Sánchez had a late header disallowed by a contentious VAR offside decision, confirmed top spot. Colombia have accumulated 4.3 xG across the group stage. They are a side capable of creating and finishing chances against any opposition.
Ghana
Queiroz’s side have been defined by resilience and organisation rather than attacking ambition. A 1–0 win over Panama through a Yirenkyi scrambled finish was followed by the disciplined goalless draw with England — a performance that drew widespread praise and admiration across the tournament.
The 2–1 defeat to Croatia in the final group game kept them in the competition on points but confirmed their third-place finish. Ghana averaged just 36.1% possession across the group stage, the second-lowest among sides to qualify for the knockouts. Their xG of 2.1 is the lowest among the remaining teams. Everything runs through the defensive block and the counter.
Predicted lineups
Colombia predicted XI (4-3-3): Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Arias, Lerma, Puerta; Rodríguez, Córdoba, Díaz
Ghana predicted XI (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey, Sibo; Williams, Ayew, Semenyo
How to watch Colombia vs Ghana?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on ITV1 and ITVX.
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