England are bidding to secure their place in the World Cup knockout rounds as they continue their campaign with a clash against Ghana in Boston.
A 4-2 win over Croatia represented an excellent start to England’s tournament, with Thomas Tuchel’s side in fine attacking touch and playing with a vibrancy that suggests real promise as they target World Cup glory. Tuchel made two changes to the starting XI with Djed Spence and Marc Guehi replacing John Stones and Nico-O’Reilly. Bukayo Saka continues to manage the achilles injury that has disrupted his training at this tournament and starts on the bench. England’s progression as table-toppers would be all but secure with victory here.
Ghana will pose a different threat to Croatia with Antoine Semenyo an obvious individual that Tuchel will be plotting to stop. The Manchester City forward has the capacity to challenge a backline that perhaps came out less in credit from England’s opener, while Thomas Partey is also set to feature – the Ghana midfielder missed their opening win over Panama having been denied entry to Canada while facing a rape charge.
Follow all of the latest ahead of the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
England vs Ghana LIVE
- England continue World Cup campaign against Ghana | Live on the BBC with kick off at 9pm BST
- Thomas Tuchel's side opened with strong win over Croatia and are targeting knockout rounds
- Thomas Partey set to start for Ghana after missing opener having been denied entry to Canada while charged with rape
- ANALYSIS: The concerning trend England must address in second group game
- England XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
- Ghana XI: Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey; Sibo, Iñaki Williams, Semenyo; Jordan Ayew
Fewer England fans, familiar weather
20:28 , Richard Jolly at Boston Stadium
Here’s The Independent’s Senior Football Correspondent, Richard Jolly, reporting from the Boston Stadium ahead of kick off:
Boston had its tartan takeover and, without going everywhere in the city, it felt as though there were rather fewer England fans there in the last 24 hours.
“Although Boston has at least had English weather, with rain in Massachusetts.
“Which may help England play at Premier League pace, given the conditions are altogether more familiar.”
Thomas Tuchel explains double change for England against Ghana
20:26 , Jack Rathborn
“They [Guehi and Spence deserve to play,” Tuchel told ITV Sport. “A little bit more speed, a bit more profile, faster than John, more convenient to play on the left side than John.
“Djed, faster, to control the counter-attacks. It's a big part, they are happy to give up possession, they want us to fall asleep and feel safe, very fast and physical players.
“Very direct play, not shy to use long balls. I think we will have a lot of duels on the full-back to use the position, use the coverage, be aggressive to stop the counter-attacks."
Will history repeat itself for Queiroz?
20:22 , Mike Jones
Current Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz’s heaviest defeat as a head coach at the World Cup was against England in the 2022 group stages – his Iran side lost 6-2.
Kane to overtake Lineker?
20:15 , Mike Jones
Harry Kane has netted five goals across his five international appearances against African nations, with three coming at the World Cup, against Tunisia in 2018 (x2) and Senegal in 2022.
If he scores in this game, he would overtake Gary Lineker (10) to become Engand’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
Two in a row for England?
20:10 , Mike Jones
After winning their opener 4-2 against Croatia, England will be looking to win each of their opening two games at a World Cup for the fourth time, after completing the feat in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
Can they secure a place in the last-32 tonight?
Can Ghana reach the knockout rounds?
20:05 , Mike Jones
Ghana have only won two of their group stage matches at the World Cup once before, beating Czechia and USA in 2006.
They have failed to win any of their last four matches against European opposition in the competition, losing their last game 2-3 against Portugal in 2022.
Beating England tonight would also send Ghana into the knockout rounds with a game remaining in the groups.
Fifa quietly scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand turned the cover-up into a marketing campaign
20:00 , Lawrence Ostlere in Houston
There is a physical perimeter around every stadium at this World Cup and once you pass through, there are rules. Welcome to Fifa-Land. No large banners. No political imagery of any kind. No offensive symbols. No commercial material. No inflatables. No musical instruments taller than 12cm. No binoculars. No significant quantities of paper, which is left open to interpretation. No frisbees. No detonators, which is reassuring.
Inside, organisers have gone to extraordinary lengths to cleanse stadiums of all unofficial branding in order to meet Fifa’s “clean-site” policy, a kind of sanitised insanity that feels entirely in-keeping with the general ethos of football’s global governing body.
Fifa scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand has got creative
A rainy Boston awaits
19:55 , Mike Jones
It’s been raining for most of the day in Boston so conditions will be familiar to England.
The fans have been enjoying themselves nonetheless and are prepared for kick off in just over an hour’s time.
Will changes strengthen England?
19:50 , Mike Jones
England were rightly praised for their 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening game but any criticism they faced was aimed at their defence.
Both Croatia goals were thought to be too easily let in by the back line and that is were Tuchel has focused his changes.
Djed Spence, who impressed off the bench against Croatia, will play at left-back showing his versatility while Marc Guehi starts alongside Ezri Konsa.
Guehi and Konsa had played together for England so are a useful partnership but can they make England defensively stronger?
That will be an improvement Thomas Tuchel is watching out for tonight.
England team changes
19:45 , Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to the England team that defeated Croatia in their previous outing.
Djed Spence comes in and will play at left-back ahead of Nico O’Reilly while Marc Guehi slots in at centre-back in place of John Stones.
Declan Rice is fit to start but Bukayo Saka begins the game on the bench once more.
Ghana team news vs England
19:42 , Jack Rathborn
Ghana XI: Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey; Sibo, Iñaki Williams, Semenyo; Jordan Ayew
🚍 On our way to Boston Stadium. 🏟️
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 23, 2026
🏴 England 🆚 Ghana 🇬🇭 #BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6SHefE6sF6
Unlucky Boston?
19:40 , Mike Jones
This will be just the second time that England have played in Boston, USA across their history.
Their previous visit ended in a 2-0 friendly loss to the USA in June 1993 under Graham Taylor.
Will Thomas Tuchel’s side repeat that history later on or can they secure a win?
England team news vs Ghana
19:38 , Jack Rathborn
A couple of surprise changes then, as Djed Spence and Marc Guehi come in, with Nico O'Reilly and John Stones dropping to the bench.
England XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
The #ThreeLions make two changes for our game against Ghana 📋 pic.twitter.com/pNOtNzOxIo
— England (@England) June 23, 2026
Run the talk
19:35 , Miguel Delaney
Within the England camp, there’s been a phrase that Thomas Tuchel has used a lot. The German constantly talks of the need to “walk the talk”. He’s said it in reference to everything from his own selection decisions and man-management to how the players interact with each other. And now, it needs to apply to this second World Cup match against Ghana.
Or, perhaps more appropriately for this game in Foxborough, the phrase should be “run the talk” or even sprint it.
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
England vs Africa
19:30 , Mike Jones
England are unbeaten against African teams at the World Cup – in their eight matches, they have won five and drawn three.
This match will also represent England’s eighth different African opponent at the World Cup (after Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal), more than any other nation.
Anderson's value
19:25 , Alan Smith
Elliot Anderson was a ball-winning machine in England's game against Croatia.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 23, 2026
He won possession eight times, more than any other player on the pitch.
If England are to maintain their free-flowing style, they will need Anderson to replicate this performance against Ghana. pic.twitter.com/IZX7VaeviW
A first meeting
19:20 , Mike Jones
England and Ghana are facing each other at the World Cup for the first time.
Their only previous encounter came in a March 2011 friendly at Wembley with the game ending 1-1, after goals from Andy Carroll and Asamoah Gyan.
Can England improve on that tonight and secure a place in the knockout rounds?
Tournament Thomas
19:15 , Alan Smith
“TT, tournament Thomas” 😂
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2026
Thomas Tuchel has certainly earned his nickname amongst his England players 🏴 pic.twitter.com/FiafqqzxHF
O'Reilly's special tattoo
19:05 , Alan Smith
Nico O’Reilly is considering getting a World Cup tattoo if he can help England to glory in the United States.
The left-back has emerged as a key player for Thomas Tuchel, starting in the 4-2 win over Croatia and being expected to keep his place for the clash with Ghana in Boston.
And O’Reilly already has a host of tattoos, including one with the Manchester phone code – 0161 – on his left arm as he is determined not to forget his roots.
The special tattoo Nico O’Reilly is hoping to add after England’s World Cup campaign
Barry's not banal
18:55 , Alan Smith
Thomas Tuchel has vowed to let Anthony Barry to carry on doing half-time interviews with broadcasters after his explosive words at the break in the win over Croatia – and said he will be “so happy” if his assistant keeps speaking his mind.
Barry said England had been “complicated and confusing” in the opening period of their World Cup opener in Dallas, as they went in at 2-2, before an improved performance led to a 4-2 victory.
Tuchel was relaxed about Barry’s blunt analysis and said the 40-year-old had been on the receiving end of a few comments inside the England camp after he suddenly acquired a higher profile.
Thomas Tuchel responds to England assistant’s explosive ITV interview
Kane in good company
18:45 , Alan Smith
2 - Across the last two FIFA World Cup tournaments, only two penalties taken in normal time have missed the target altogether:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026
2022 - 🏴 Harry Kane vs 🇫🇷 France
2026 - 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi vs 🇦🇹 Austria
Amiss. pic.twitter.com/p4nrt8uI6c
Early Ghana team news
18:35 , Alan Smith
Thomas Partey will feature for Ghana having missed their opening game due to being refused entry to Canada. He was denied a visa to enter Canada after being charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all of which he denies, but has been granted entry into the US.
First-choice keeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was removed at half-time due to a knock and is unlikely to start.
A multinational team of officials
18:25 , Alan Smith
Referee: Said Martinez (Honduras)
Assistant Referee: Walter Lopez (Honduras)
Assistant Referee: Christian Ramirez (Honduras)
Fourth Official: Ning Ma (China)
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Fei Zhou (China)
Tonight's referee
18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Honduran referee Said Martinez will take charge of the Group L clash between England and Ghana at the World Cup 2026.
The 34-year-old is making his tournament debut and history for Honduras as the first official from the nation to referee at a World Cup having served as an assistant four years ago.
“Looking back, it's something I never imagined, it never even crossed my mind... I never thought I'd be an international referee, a World Cup referee," Martinez said in an interview for Honduran outlet Diario Diez ahead of the tournament.
Who is Said Martinez? England v Ghana referee for World Cup clash
Predicted line-ups
18:05 , Alan Smith
England XI: Pickford, James, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane
Ghana XI: Asare, Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Minseh, Yirenkyi, Partey, Fatawu, Sulemana, Semenyo, Ayew
How to watch tonight's match
17:55 , Alan Smith
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with coverage beginning at 8pm BST.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Can England win the World Cup?
17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
World Cup power rankings
17:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re nearing the end of the second round of fixtures with potential World Cup contenders becoming clearer and clearer. How do they stack up? Will Castle has had a go at power ranking the possible winners:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: England and France make statements after round one
Fifa quietly scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand turned the cover-up into a marketing campaign
17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Of course, we aren’t meant to be calling the Boston ground “Gillette Stadium” during this World Cup. Lawrence Ostlere takes an in-depth look at Fifa’s strict branding rules – and how one company has found a way to make the most of them.
Fifa scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand has got creative
About today's venue
17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium has already hosted two Scotland matches at this World Cup, and now it is the term of England to grace the usual home of the New England Patriots. The ground sits between Boston and Providence in the heart of the area first christened by the name it is now commonly known by John Smith in 1616, four years before the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower.
Capacity: 65,000
Matches: Five group, one last 32, one quarter-final
Will Thomas Tuchel consider resting anyone?
17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Victory tonight could well secure top spot in the group for England – which could leave Thomas Tuchel with a dilemma. Does he dare rest some of his squad either today or against Panama on Saturday? There is a balance to be struck between building connections and saving some legs ahead of an expanded knockout stage, assuming England get there.
Declan Rice ready to go again after long season
17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Declan Rice is another of Arsenal’s Premier League winners who has been short of full fitness in recent months, with the midfielder revealing this week that he has been dealing with hamstring nerve pain – which sounds horrible. Anyway, Rice is ready to go again having become used to football’s hectic schedule.
"Ive been lucky enough to play in Europe for six years with West Ham and Arsenal so my body has been conditioned and built for these moments,” Rice explained. “I'd say this season has been more mentally [tough] than physically because of the crazy emotions, it's up and down. You need to find the balance.
"At this moment in time I'm in a good space mentally and physically I feel really good. I want to keep taking this until the end of the tournament."
Is there a problem with the 2026 World Cup ball? Why goalkeepers are struggling with the Trionda
16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s been a relatively high scoring start to this World Cup, perhaps to be expected after the tournament’s expansion. Could the ball also be to blame? A few goalkeepers have struggled to deal with shots they might ordinarily save – Will Castle examines the evidence.
Is there a problem with the World Cup ball? Why goalkeepers are struggling
Gary Lineker hails Harry Kane as ‘greatest English striker we’ve ever had’ after equalling World Cup record
16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
One more England goal would take Harry Kane past Gary Lineker’s tally for the nation at World Cups – and in a competitive field, Lineker would put the current occupier of the No 9 shirt ahead of the rest.
Lineker says Kane is ‘greatest English striker we’ve ever had’ after equalling record
Harry Kane reveals ‘special moment’ with fans following England’s World Cup win over Croatia
16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Kane revelled in the singing of “Wonderwall” with the England supporters after the Croatia win, the old Oasis tune still a favourite more than 30 years on from its release.
Harry Kane reveals ‘special moment’ with fans after England’s World Cup win
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who will win the golden boot?
16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
World Cup golden boot race hots up
16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There were more goals for all of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe yesterday, leaving Harry Kane needing to stay in touch if he is to remain in the chase for the World Cup golden boot.
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Mbappe and Haaland
England fans allowing themselves to be ‘optimistic’ ahead of Ghana match
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England fans have said they are allowing themselves to be “optimistic for once” ahead of their second World Cup match against Ghana.
The Three Lions secured a statement 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas in their tournament opener, leaving many fans confident of the team’s chances in the tournament.
More than 14,000 supporters are expected to have travelled to the Massachusetts’ city for the game – enduring high ticket costs, transport prices and parking charges.
England fans allowing themselves to be ‘optimistic’ ahead of Ghana match
Scottish World Cup fans issue warning to England counterparts about ‘expensive’ Boston before Ghana clash
15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Also having fun in the States are the healthy contingent of England fans – although Scottish travellers have warned them to expect a shock if buying beer in Boston....
How England fans plan to tackle ‘expensive day out’ in Boston ahead of Ghana game
Baseball, Ella Langley concert and cowboy boots: Inside an England squad player’s different World Cup
15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ever wondered what players actually get up to at a World Cup? Dan Burn provided an illuminating insight last week as he revealed the fun he and England have been having:
Baseball and cowboy boots: Inside Dan Burn’s different World Cup
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Carlos Quieroz is a savvy veteran of international football but, in Thomas Tuchel, he faces a managerial counterpart enjoying the pace of his first major tournament. Richard Jolly has spent this week in camp with England:
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
Ghana boss sends World Cup warning to England: ‘They have three lions... we have 33 million’
14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ghana’s coach Carlos Queiroz has issued a defiant challenge to England ahead of their crucial World Cup encounter.
Ghana boss sends World Cup warning to England
Ollie Watkins urges England to top group but World Cup contenders wary of Antoine Semenyo threat
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s players will be familiar with Thomas Partey from his time with Arsenal, while the threat of Antoine Semenyo is well known to them, too. The Manchester City forward could be a key figure in today’s game.
Watkins urges England to top group but World Cup contenders wary of Semenyo threat
Why is Thomas Partey allowed to play against England at the World Cup while charged with rape?
14:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Partey will make his first appearance at World Cup 2026 when Ghana play against England on Tuesday. Partey was refused entry to Canada forcing him to miss Ghana’s opening match in Toronto, and he could be booed by spectators when he finally takes to the field in Boston.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Why is Thomas Partey allowed to play against England while charged with rape?
HAVE YOUR SAY! What's your prediction for England vs Ghana?
14:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What will Bukayo Saka's role be?
13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Bukayo Saka again enters England’s clash with Ghana under something of a fitness cloud, with the Arsenal winger unlikely to be fit to feature fully in Boston. Will be be used off the bench? Or might Thomas Tuchel save him for games to come? Saka has been training with England in the build-up.
England given Bukayo Saka boost ahead of Ghana clash at World Cup
WATCH: How Thomas Tuchel's system helped England dominate Croatia
13:40 , Adam Clery
England have a new exciting way under Thomas Tuchel but two problems remain
13:20 , Miguel Delaney
Four goals and three points represented an outstanding start for England – though a few nagging concerns remain.
England have a new exciting way under Thomas Tuchel but two problems remain
The England change that dispatched Croatia to fulfil Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup promise
13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It really was an encouraging start for those of an England persuasion – it was not just the win over Croatia but the manner that left Miguel Delaney impressed:
The England change that dispatched Croatia to fulfil Tuchel’s World Cup promise
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England have made a good start to the World Cup – but it’s the second showing that has been an issue at recent major tournaments. Miguel Delaney explains the concerning trend that Thomas Tuchel is attempting to address today.
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
England vs Ghana LIVE
11:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s World Cup campaign continues with Thomas Tuchel’s side bidding to build on a strong start against Croatia. It’s an intriguing clash with Ghana next up for a team that showed real attacking vibrancy against Croatia – can they do the same to book their spot in the knockout rounds?
Kick off in Boston is at 9pm BST.
