Colombia will have to get past a defensively sound Ghana side if they are going to reach the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup. We look at team news and predicted lineups for Colombia vs Ghana, a matchup that wraps up the Round Cup last 32.
Colombia vs DR Congo
Date: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2026
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City
Kick Off: 21:30 in Kansas City
Referee: Clement Turpin
Current Odds: Colombia 1.4 Draw 4.33 Ghana 9.00
Colombia Team News
Colombia trusts their lineup and knows who they are, a team that put together an impressive group stage top their group fueled by an improved defence led by veteran Davinson Sanchez, and a midfield that can dictate games with players like Gustavo Puerta and a vintage James Rodriguez.
There’s not expected to be many XI changes for Colombia, Luis Suarez or Jhon Cordoba will start in the striker role, Cordoba has offered more this tournament, as Suarez has struggled to finish his chances. Juan Fernando Quintero continues to play the reserve #10 role off the bench. Top scorer Daniel Munoz will return to his starting role in the backline. “The team has learned to play with that weight” said manager Nestor Lorenzo regarding Colombia being a heavy favorite.
Lorenzo also noted that star winger Luis Diaz has scored multiple times this World Cup, only to have those goes called back for offsides.
Regarding Ghana, Lorenzo said “we can’t generalize them just because of the physical. They are players who play in the best teams in Europe and play very well. They are an orderly and aggressive team when they go out to press,”
As is tradition, Los Cafeteros were greeted with another massive banderazo celebration on Tuesday ahead of the match, as Colombians took over a local park in Kansas City and should fill at least 70% of the stadium.
Ghana Team News
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz once managed Colombia, and will be familiar with a number of their veteran players. Queiroz told the media “we are very well aware of all the qualities that these players have. The current ones, this team reminds me of the Colombia from Copa America. That’s a great team.”
This is a Ghana team that is comfortable sitting back and absorbing pressure with players like Derrick Luckassen in the back. They drew England 0-0 to effectively secure passage into the knockout phase, and they only needed a late goal to defeat Panama 1-0. Ghana don’t play exciting football, but the style they play is a style that they know how to play well and it’s frustrating to play against.
Antoine Semenyo is likely to be fit but was nursing some injury concerns about this match. 22-year-old Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu should get minutes, even if they are off the bench as a sparkplug in attack. Defender Kojo Oppong Peprah is out with an injury. Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the match winner against Panama.
Read More: 2026 World Cup Rounds of 32 Predictions Including Colombia vs Ghana
Colombia Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK; Camilo Vargas
Defenders: Johan Mojica, Jhon Lucumi, Davinson Sanchez, Daniel Munoz
Midfield: Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma, James Rodriguez
Forwards: Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba, Jhon Arias
Ghana Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
GK: Benjamin Asare
Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Derrick Luckassen, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, Marvin Senaya
Midfield: Caleb Yirenkyi, Kwasi Sibo, Thomas Partey
Forwards: Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
