Ghana
The Black Stars endured a comfortable qualifying campaign in CAF, finishing as winners of Group I on 25 points from a possible 30 finishing 6 points ahead of Madagascar, conceding just 6 goals.
Despite leading them to qualification Otto Addo was relieved of his duties following a poor run of results with his final match in charge a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart in March.
Ghana will be appearing at a 5th World Cup Tournament having made there debut in 2006, the only tournament they have missed since that first appearance in 2006 was 2018 in Russia.
Despite the sacking of Addo in March results have not really improved under Carlos Quieroz, the former Portugal, Egypt & Iran manager has overseen a 2-0 defeat to Mexico and a 1-1 draw with Wales in Cardiff.
Injuries & Team News
Ghana will begin the world cup without defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, the Villarreal enforcer was denied a VISA by the Canadian government due to an ongoing legal case in England.
He will remain with the squad in Boston and they are hopeful to have the issue sorted before they face England in the second group stage match.
Partey is the only issue for Coach Quieroz as captain Jordan Ayew has overcome a muscle strain to line up in Toronto. Man City winger Antoine Semenyo will be the key man for Ghana in this Tournament.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Wales | L L L L L L D |
Predicted Line-Up
Ghana (3-4-3)
Ati-Zigi; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Owusu, Yirenkyi, Nuamah, Boakye, Semenyo; Ayew
Panama
Panama will be making a second appearance at the World Cup finals having made there debut 8 years ago in Russia, on that occasion the lost all three group games to Belgium (3-0) England (6-1) & Tunisia (2-1).
With 48 teams in this edition of the World Cup Panama can hope to make it to the last 32 as one of the best 3rd place finishers, to achieve that you would think they need a positive result in this opener vs Ghana.
Los Canaleros are now managed by Thomas Christiansen and he guided them to qualification from the third round of CONCACAF winning the group ahead of Suriname finishing with three wins and three draws.
They will enter the world cup on the back of three friendly internationals that has seen them crushed 6-2 by Brazil followed by a 4-2 win over Dominican Republic and a 1-1 draw with Bosnia in St Louis.
Injuries & Team News
Thomas Christiansen will likely have to do without Panama’s best player Adalberto Carrasquilla for this Group L Opener with Ghana, he hasnt featured in any of the warm-up matches.
Orlando Mosquera is one of the best goalkeepers in Central America who plays his football in the Saudi Pro-League and he will earn his 48th Cap on Wednesday.
Anibal Godoy is approaching his 37th birthday but remains a key part of this Panama team and will win his 157th Cap in the Group L Opener against Ghana in Toronto.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Bosnia | L D W L W D |
Predicted Line-Up
Panama (5-4-1)
Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Godoy, Harvey, Davis; Rodriguez, Diaz, Fajardo
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana Win | 13/10 (2.30) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 21/10 (3.10) | Dream Vegas |
| Panama Win | 9/4 (3.25) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Ghana 1-1 Panama
These two sides are likely to playing for the 3rd place spot in this group and they look evenly matched and could share the spoils in Toronto.