Ghana and Panama kick off their 2026 World Cup campaigns when they meet in Toronto in the early hours of Thursday morning. We’ve got a great Bet Builder tip for Ghana vs Panama.
These two nations are deemed, by most experts, as the two weakest in Group L. As a result, this is seen as both teams best chance to pick up maximum points.
We’ve been poring over the data and markets and we think we’ve come up with a cracking bet builder priced at 40/1 with Paddy Power.
Ghana vs Panama Bet Builder Tip
Ghana to win
The Black Stars enter this match as the stronger side on paper and as bookmakers’ favourites. Their CAF qualifying campaign was outstanding – eight wins from ten matches, averaging over two goals per game and conceding just six throughout. Panama, by contrast, went unbeaten but never faced opposition of Ghana’s quality during their CONCACAF campaign.
Ghana carry real attacking firepower in the absence of Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus – Antoine Semenyo, Iñaki Williams, Abdul Fatawu and Ernest Nuamah all bring Premier League quality to this match. Panama’s only previous World Cup ended with three straight defeats, including a 6-1 humbling by England in Russia 2018.
Christiansen’s side defend well and compete hard, but Jordan Ayew’s seven qualifying goals demonstrate Ghana’s ability to find the net when it matters. In a match both sides desperately need to win, Ghana’s superior squad depth should prove decisive in Toronto.
Under 2.5 goals
This fixture has all the hallmarks of a tightly contested, low-scoring encounter. Both sides approach this match knowing a defeat makes qualification from Group L almost impossible against England and Croatia. Panama have built their identity on defensive organisation – they went unbeaten through CONCACAF qualifying conceding just four goals in six final-round matches, recording the highest number of pressed sequences of any CONCACAF qualifier.
Christiansen will set up in a compact 3-4-3 designed to limit space and frustrate Ghana’s attackers. Ghana themselves carry absentee concerns – the losses of Kudus and Partey reduce their creative output significantly in central areas. Ghana also failed to score in three of their last five warm-up fixtures. This shapes up as a game where one goal likely proves decisive rather than a free-flowing attacking contest. Under 2.5 goals has landed in four of Panama’s last five competitive fixtures, making this a well-supported selection.
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Antoine Semenyo to score anytime
Semenyo arrives at this World Cup as the form player in Ghana’s entire squad – and arguably one of the most dangerous attackers at the tournament. He registered 17 goals and four assists across 30 Premier League appearances for Manchester City in 2025-26, finishing among the top three players in the division for goal involvements. He also won both the FA Cup and EFL Cup this season, demonstrating he delivers in big games. Semenyo’s physical profile – powerful, direct and comfortable in wide-left areas – suits him perfectly to breaking down Panama’s back three.
He generates high shot volumes, averages 2.3 attempts on goal per 90 minutes in the Premier League and converts with clinical regularity. Panama will target Ghana’s flanks with defensive pressure, but Semenyo’s combination of pace and power makes him extremely difficult to contain. In Ghana’s most important match of the tournament, he looks the standout scoring selection.
Anibal Godoy to be booked
Godoy captains Panama and carries 159 international caps into this match – more than any other Panamanian player in history. At 36, he remains the defensive anchor at the base of Panama’s midfield, tasked with disrupting Ghana’s attacking rhythm and shielding the back three. That combative role naturally carries a booking risk, particularly against a Ghana side with the pace and directness of Semenyo, Williams and Fatawu bearing down on him throughout 90 minutes.
Godoy committed fouls in each of his four World Cup appearances at Russia 2018, earning one booking across those three group matches. His MLS season with San Diego has followed a similar pattern – physical, aggressive and on the edge of referee attention throughout. In a match with knockout implications from the very first whistle, Godoy will not hold back in the challenge. The referee in Toronto is very likely to notice him.
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