A do-or-die playoff battle: Croatia vs Ghana prediction - 28.06.2026
The third-round World Cup clash between Croatia and Ghana will take place on June 28 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Both teams still have a solid shot at reaching the playoffs: Ghana sits second after a draw with England, while Croatia, fresh from a win over Panama, is in third and needs points to secure a more comfortable spot.
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Croatia: Panama win eased the pressure, but questions remain
Croatia’s campaign began on a sour note - a 2-4 defeat to England revealed that the new three-center-back system isn’t yet providing the defensive stability the team needs. Zlatko Dalić tried a more adventurous approach, but the back line frequently left gaps that the opposition exploited without hesitation.
The match against Panama wasn’t a walk in the park either: in the first half, the Central Americans looked confident and at times caused Croatia real problems. The turning point came with the introduction of Ante Budimir, who seized his chance and delivered the first three points for the “Chequereds” at this tournament. It’s logical to expect him in the starting lineup now, while Marko Pašalić and Petar Musa may lose their spots after underwhelming performances.
Ghana: Queiroz’s side has become a tough nut for favorites
Under Carlos Queiroz, Ghana looks like a completely different side compared to recent years. The Portuguese coach’s first order of business was to shore up the defense - and it’s already paying off: the “Black Stars” haven’t conceded against either Panama or England. The match against England was especially telling, as the formidable opponents barely found any space near Benjamin Asare’s goal.
A key factor for Ghana is Thomas Partey’s availability - he’s cleared to play in the USA and remains the linchpin in midfield. Up front, the attack will again rely on the pace and surging runs of Iñaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo, while Caleb Yirenkyi is making more and more noise in the center of the park. With this structure, Ghana can sit deep, disrupt the tempo, and patiently wait for opponents’ mistakes.
Probable lineups
- Croatia: Livaković, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol, Stanišić, Kovačić, Modrić, Perišić, Baturina, Pašalić, Budimir.
- Ghana: Asare, Adjetey, Opoku, Senaya, Mensah, Partey, Yirenkyi, Sibo, Williams, Semenyo, Ayew.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Croatia lost to England 2-4 in the opener, but then beat Panama to claim their first three points of the tournament.
- Ghana has yet to concede a single goal in their first two matches of the 2026 World Cup.
- Before facing Panama, Croatia had conceded in seven straight matches.
Impenetrable defense vs Balkan experience: Croatia vs Ghana prediction
On paper, Croatia boasts the higher-quality squad, but their football at this tournament hasn’t been perfectly balanced. Defensive frailties remain, positional attacks have looked labored, and the team is still heavily dependent on the magic of Modrić, Perišić, and Kovačić. Even so, the win over Panama should restore confidence, and Budimir’s inclusion could add a sharper edge inside the box.
Ghana, on the other hand, isn’t dazzling with flair but impresses with discipline. Queiroz’s side knows how to shut down spaces, withstand pressure, and wait patiently for a counter-attacking chance. But against Croatia, they’ll likely have to open up a bit more - and that could play into the hands of their more experienced opponents.
