England was held to a goalless draw by Ghana in the second match of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars, led by Jordan Ayew, successfully frustrated an England team captained by Harry Kane, resulting in a match where neither nation managed to score.
With this outcome, both teams now have four points and are in a strong position to qualify for the next round of the tournament. The match began with Coach Carlos Queiroz making two changes to his starting lineup, introducing Spain-based players Iñaki Williams and Thomas Teye Partey, who had previously faced visa issues that prevented them from travelling to Toronto with the team.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel named a strong squad for England, hopeful of securing a vital win to advance to the next stage of the competition. However, the early moments of the game proved challenging for England, as they struggled to penetrate the Ghanaian defence despite attempting to utilise the flanks with players like Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. Djed Spence also joined in the planned attacking strategy from the wings.
The first half was largely uneventful, featuring a late challenge from Declan Rice that earned him a yellow card, with neither team managing to take any shots on goal. Nonetheless, England maintained dominance in possession, holding an 80-20 advantage.
After the break, Rice took on the responsibility for all of England’s set pieces. One of his deliveries struck the crossbar, and Kane was unable to score from the rebound. Ghana’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, was called upon multiple times, making crucial saves, including a curling shot from substitute Bukayo Saka.
The Ghanaian defence remained composed throughout the match, ensuring that the game ended in a draw. Ghana will face Croatia next, while England will take on Panama. Both matches are scheduled for Saturday, June 27.
