Troost-Ekong Backs Ghana to Earn Result Against England at 2026 World Cup

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has tipped Ghana national football team to come away with at least a draw when they face England national football team in their Group L clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars head into the fixture in Foxborough, Massachusetts, buoyed by a narrow 1–0 win over Panama. Meanwhile, England—managed by Thomas Tuchel—opened their campaign with an entertaining 4–2 victory over Croatia to top the group on goal difference.

With both sides aiming to strengthen their position for qualification to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Troost-Ekong believes Ghana have enough quality to trouble England.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, the retired Nigerian international said Ghana’s opening win would give them confidence heading into the high-profile clash.

He noted that England can be vulnerable and suggested a draw is a realistic outcome.

“Winning against Panama gives them confidence. Against England, there are opportunities to exploit. If I had to predict it, I’d say a draw because both teams can score,” he said.

Despite the historic Nigeria–Ghana rivalry, Troost-Ekong expressed support for Ghana and other African teams performing well at the World Cup.

He stressed that success for African nations benefits the continent as a whole, adding that players across the region often share mutual respect off the pitch despite competitive tensions.

Troost-Ekong also highlighted Ghana’s resilience in their win over Panama, pointing out the impact of substitutions in the second half.

He specifically praised the influence of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Abdul Fatawu, noting that their introduction helped change the tempo and gave England something to consider ahead of the encounter.

A positive result for Ghana would significantly boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages as the group phase intensifies at the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled for Tuesday in Foxborough, with both sides looking to take a major step toward qualification.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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