- Essien Tips Ghana to Upset England in High-Stakes Group L Clash
Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has backed the Black Stars to produce a major upset against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that Ghana can rise to the occasion in one of the tournament’s most anticipated group-stage fixtures.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the tournament, the former Chelsea star said the meeting between Ghana and England would be a major attraction, but made clear where his loyalties lie.
“I think it is going to be a great game and everyone is looking forward to seeing that match,” Essien said.
“And I hope Ghana beat England though.”
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama for the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Ghana Football Association confirmed the Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia.
England’s Football Association has also confirmed that the Three Lions will face Croatia, Panama and Ghana in Group L, with the Ghana fixture scheduled as England’s final group-stage match.
Essien, who represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, remains one of the country’s most respected football figures. His endorsement is likely to heighten expectations among Ghanaian supporters as the Black Stars prepare for a demanding group that includes two European opponents.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder was a central figure in Ghana’s golden generation, helping to establish the Black Stars as one of Africa’s most competitive sides during a period that included the country’s historic World Cup debut in 2006 and its quarter-final run in 2010.
The Ghana-England fixture also carries emotional and historical weight. The two nations last met at senior level in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on March 29, 2011, a match that ended 1-1 after Asamoah Gyan struck late to cancel out Andy Carroll’s opener.
That result remains a memorable moment for Ghanaian football supporters, not only because of the late equaliser but also because it underlined the Black Stars’ ability to compete against one of world football’s most prominent national teams.
For Ghana, the 2026 World Cup represents another chance to reassert itself on the global stage. The Black Stars will enter the tournament aware of the difficulty of their group, but also encouraged by the belief that knockout-stage qualification remains possible if they can start strongly and avoid defeat against the group’s top seeds.
Essien’s message is therefore simple but powerful: England may enter the fixture as favourites, but Ghana should not approach the game with fear.
The Black Stars have built much of their World Cup identity around resilience, physical intensity and moments of individual brilliance. Against England, those qualities may again be required if Ghana are to deliver the kind of result Essien and millions of supporters are hoping for.
The fixture is already shaping up as one of the defining tests of Ghana’s group-stage campaign and for Essien, it is also an opportunity for the Black Stars to remind the world that Ghana can still compete with football’s elite.
