Ghana face Panama on Wednesday, June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto, their opening Group L fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the first ever senior meeting between the two nations.
In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about how to watch and stream Ghana vs Panama online, along with team news, kick off times, squad lists, broadcast options, and a full tactical preview.
Key Details
- Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Kick off Time: 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT, 12 a.m. BST Thursday June 18, 4:30 a.m. IST Thursday June 18, 9 a.m. AEST Thursday June 18)
- Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
- Where to Watch: FOX/FS1 (USA) | ITV1/ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India)
Where to Watch Ghana vs Panama Football World Cup Match?
Fans in the United States can watch on FOX and FS1, while UK audiences can find the match on ITV1 and the ITVX streaming app. Viewers in Australia can tune into SBS, and fans in India can stream through Zee5, with ESPN also offering live text updates worldwide.
Coverage on FOX, ITV and SBS is free to air for viewers with standard broadcast or basic streaming access in those countries. FIFA Plus offers a backup option for fans in regions without a dedicated rights holder, though picture quality and match availability can vary by territory.
How to Watch Ghana vs Panama with a VPN
If the match is unavailable or geoblocked in your region, a VPN can unlock free access to ITVX, the UK broadcaster covering this fixture. ITVX is normally restricted to viewers with a British IP address, so anyone outside the UK needs a VPN to watch through that platform.
Follow these steps to get started.
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in, or create a free account if you do not already have one.
- Search for the Ghana vs Panama match and start streaming live.
Ghana vs Panama FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
Ghana Team News
Carlos Queiroz took charge of Ghana in April 2026, replacing Otto Addo after the Black Stars lost back to back friendlies against Austria and Germany. The 73 year old Portuguese coach arrived with World Cup experience from his time leading Portugal and three separate spells in charge of Iran.
Ghana’s pre tournament form was rocky. They lost 5 to 1 away to Austria, lost 2 to 1 away to Germany, then lost 2 to 0 to Mexico before steadying themselves with a 1 to 1 draw against Wales in their final warm up match. Queiroz’s only match in charge before the World Cup was that draw with Wales.
The squad suffered two significant blows before travelling to North America. Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus was ruled out of the tournament entirely after a quadriceps injury required surgery, while Monaco centre back Mohammed Salisu was also ruled out following a torn ACL.
Ghana received a further setback on the eve of the tournament opener. Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada after his visa application was refused, and a Canadian federal court rejected his appeal on the eve of the match. Partey remains with the squad in the United States and is set to be available again when Ghana face England on June 23.
Captain Jordan Ayew, Ghana’s most experienced forward, leads a squad built heavily around Premier League talent. Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo enters the tournament as one of the form players in English football, scoring 17 goals across two clubs last season, although his return for the national team has been more modest with just three goals in 34 caps since 2022.
Queiroz has set up his side in a 4 2 3 1 system that leans on physical wide players and aerial strength at set pieces, with Iñaki Williams and Kamaldeen Sulemana offering pace in behind a defence that has had limited time to gel under the new coaching staff.
Panama Team News
Thomas Christiansen has managed Panama since 2020, making him the longest serving coach in the federation’s history and giving Los Canaleros a settled identity heading into just their second World Cup appearance.
Panama’s preparation has been steady if unspectacular. They opened the year with a 1 to 1 draw against Bolivia and a narrow 1 to 0 loss to Mexico, before two friendlies in South Africa in March produced a 1 to 1 draw and a 2 to 1 win. A heavy 6 to 2 defeat to Brazil at the Maracana at the end of May was followed by a strong finish, a 4 to 2 win over the Dominican Republic and a 1 to 1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final warm up game.
Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, the creative heartbeat of the team, suffered a groin issue in the Liga MX final shortly before the squad was announced. Christiansen included him regardless, and his fitness for the Ghana match has been treated as one of the team’s most important selection calls.
Captain Aníbal Godoy, Panama’s record appearance holder with 159 caps, anchors the midfield and missed only the Brazil friendly through absence before returning to full training. Beşiktaş full back Michael Amir Murillo is the squad’s most prominent European based player and offers genuine attacking output from a wide role.
Christiansen has consistently used a 3 4 3 or 4 5 1 setup that prioritises defensive solidity and set piece threat over open attacking football, a approach that has yielded an unbeaten qualifying campaign, a Gold Cup final appearance and a Nations League final under his management.
Ghana World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang
- Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Derrick Luckassen
- Midfielders: Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
- Attackers: Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Iñaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Prince Kwabena Adu, Brandon Thomas Asante
Panama World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Luis Mejía, Orlando Mosquera, César Samudio
- Defenders: Éric Davis, Fidel Escobar, Michael Amir Murillo, Roderick Miller, Andrés Andrade, César Blackman, José Córdoba, Jiovany Ramos, Jorge Gutiérrez, Edgardo Fariña
- Midfielders: Aníbal Godoy, Alberto Quintero, Yoel Bárcenas, Adalberto Carrasquilla, José Luis Rodríguez, Cristian Martínez, César Yanis, Carlos Harvey, Azarías Londoño
- Attackers: José Fajardo, Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman, Tomás Rodríguez
Ghana vs Panama Match Preview
Ghana and Panama meet for the first time in either nation’s history on June 17 at BMO Field, a venue hosting its first World Cup fixtures after expansion work ahead of the tournament. Both teams view this opener as their best realistic chance of points in a group also containing England and Croatia.
Ghana arrive having lost six of their last seven matches across qualifying and warm up friendlies, with a coaching change just two months before the tournament adding further uncertainty. Panama head into the match unbeaten in twelve competitive matches across 2025, though their warm up form dipped against Mexico and Brazil before recovering against the Dominican Republic.
The stakes are clear for both sides. Ghana have stated this is close to a must win game given the gulf in quality with England and Croatia, while Panama’s coaching staff have spoken of needing more than a consolation goal to satisfy a fanbase hungry for the team’s first ever World Cup win.
Tactical Outlook
Ghana are expected to set up in a 4 2 3 1, using the pace of Iñaki Williams and Kamaldeen Sulemana in transition while leaning on set piece delivery aimed at Jordan Ayew, with Thomas Partey’s absence forcing Elisha Owusu into a deeper midfield role.
Panama are likely to sit in a disciplined 3 4 3 or 4 5 1 low block, inviting pressure before looking to break quickly through Carrasquilla and Bárcenas, a method that has produced their best results under Christiansen.
The key individual matchup is Antoine Semenyo against Panama’s back line of Murillo, Escobar and Córdoba, with Semenyo’s pace in behind likely to be Ghana’s most direct route to goal. Carrasquilla’s fitness will determine how effectively Panama can transition from defence to attack.
Ghana need a clinical finishing performance to make up for their weakened midfield, while Panama need defensive discipline matched with quick, direct counters to avoid a repeat of their goalless 2018 World Cup debut.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 17 | Argentina vs. Algeria | Kansas City |
| June 17 | Austria vs. Jordan | San Francisco |
| June 17 | Portugal vs. Congo DR | Houston |
| June 17 | England vs. Croatia | Dallas |
| June 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | Toronto |
| June 18 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Mexico City |
| June 18 | Czechia vs. South Africa | Atlanta |
| June 18 | Switzerland vs. Bosnia Herzegovina | Los Angeles |
| June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | Vancouver |
| June 19 | Mexico vs. Korea Republic | Guadalajara |
| June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle |
| June 20 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Philadelphia |
Football World Cup Preview
This year’s Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in Football World Cup
The Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
Major Football World Cup Matches to Watch This Week
With the group stage now underway, several of the tournament’s biggest storylines are still to come. Here’s what’s on the horizon for the stars listed above.
Argentina vs Algeria — Messi’s Farewell Tour Begins (June 16, Kansas City)
Defending champions Argentina open their campaign against Algeria, marking what is widely expected to be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance. Given Argentina’s pedigree and Messi’s status as one of the most-watched athletes on the planet, this fixture is likely to be one of the most-streamed matches of the opening week.
Iraq vs Norway — Erling Haaland’s World Cup Debut (June 16, Foxborough)
Norway’s long wait for a return to the World Cup stage ends here, and it comes with one of football’s most prolific strikers in Erling Haaland making his tournament debut. Norway will be looking to start strong in Group I against Iraq.
Portugal vs DR Congo — Ronaldo’s Final World Cup Opener (June 17, Houston)
Cristiano Ronaldo makes his Group K bow against World Cup debutants DR Congo. Like Messi, this is expected to be Ronaldo’s last World Cup, adding emotional weight to every appearance he makes throughout the tournament.
England vs Croatia (June 17, Arlington)
A repeat of past tournament classics, this Group L meeting pits Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane’s England against a Croatia side that has reached a final and a semi-final in the last two World Cups.
Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
Both teams are in Group L alongside England and Croatia, with the top two finishers advancing automatically and the third placed team able to progress via the best third ranking.
Ghana have lost six of their last seven matches, including warm up defeats to Austria, Germany and Mexico, though they steadied with a draw against Wales under new coach Carlos Queiroz.
Cecilio Waterman and José Fajardo lead Panama’s attacking options, while creative midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, if fully fit, is central to most of the team’s chance creation.
Yes, using a VPN is legal in most countries, though viewers should always check the terms of service of the streaming platform they are accessing and the laws of their specific location.
