Colombia and Ghana will both be looking to reach the last-16 of the 2026 World Cup when they meet on Saturday at 2:30pm (UK time).
Colombia were the slightly-surprising Group K winners this summer, finishing top ahead of Portugal. They opened their tournament in strong fashion, beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in their first game while the other match finished level. Los Cafeteros took further control of the group with a 1-0 win over DR Congo, confirming their place in the knockout stages. Colombia only needed to avoid defeat in their final game to seal top spot, and they did just that with a goalless draw against Portugal.
Ghana had to settle for third in their group, having looked in a decent position for at least a runners-up spot. The Black Stars had confirmed their spot in the knockout stages before their final game kicked off, with four points from two matches. They opened with a 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a late winner, before drawing with England. It was enough to secure a spot as at least one of the best third-placed teams. Ghana only needed a draw from their final match to finish second, but a 2-1 defeat to Croatia saw them drop down to third.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two sides.
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Colombia vs Ghana team news
Colombia team news
Nestor Lorenzo has his favourite players in this Colombia squad, having made very few changes across the World Cup so far. There was some minor rotation for the draw with Portugal last time out, but Lorenzo is expected to return to his full-strength starting lineup.
Daniel Munoz will return to the defence after having a slight rest last time out, replacing Santiago Arias at right-back. Johan Mojica is also expected to start on the left, coming in for Deiver Machado. The centre-back pairing of Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Lucumi has remained the same in all three games, and will continue here. Camilo Vargas will also start in goal.
Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta are the guaranteed central midfielders, and Lorenzo may opt to return to a trio. James Rodriguez will join them if that is the case, reuniting the midfield trio from the opening game. Jhon Arias should start on the right wing, with Luis Diaz on the left. Luis Suarez is expected to lead the line again, returning to replace Jhon Cordoba.
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Ghana team news
Carlos Queiroz has no new injury worries for this game and can go full-strength. Captain Ayew will continue to lead the line, starting ahead of Price Adu and Brandon Thomas-Asante. He’ll be flanked by Antoine Semenyo and likely Kamaldeen Sulemana. The latter has started two of Ghana’s three games, and may play on the left with Semenyo on the right.
Thomas Partey is expected to continue as the lone holding midfielder, with two more advanced No.8s in front of him. Kwasi Sibo and Caleb Yirenkyi are the likely pair, having performed well together against England. Elisha Owusu will drop out from the most recent starting XI.
Benjamin Asare should continue in goal, having deputised for Lawrence Ati Zigi due to injury. Jerome Opuku is expected to return to the defence, starting at centre-back ahead of Derrick Luckassen. Jonas Adjetey should partner Opuku at centre-back, with Gideon Mensah and Marvin Senaya the full-backs.
Colombia vs Ghana predicted lineups
Colombia (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Rodriguez, Lerma, Puerta; J Arias, Suarez, Diaz.
Ghana (4-1-4-1): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Partey; Semenyo, Yirenkyi, Sibo, Sulemana; Ayew.
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