Croatia vs Ghana preview

2026 World Cup, World
Philadelphia Stadium Tomorrow - 9:00 PM
World Cup
Croatia CRO
Ghana GHA
KICKOFF : Tomorrow - 9:00 PM
Round 3 Group Stage

CONTEXT

Croatia and Ghana prepare to meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium. Croatia enter as the stronger side according to power metrics, holding a score of 46.3 against Ghana's 16.3 for a 30-point advantage. Both teams sit near the top of their domestic standings, with Croatia third and Ghana second. Recent form details are sparse, though Ghana register a higher form score. Efficiency, transition and set piece data show low confidence levels with no xG metrics available. The fixture marks an early opportunity for both sides to claim points in the tournament. Croatia's structural edge shapes expectations for the contest.

TL;DR

  • Structural: Croatia hold a 30-point power advantage over Ghana.
  • Form: Ghana register a form score of 11.17 compared to Croatia's 0.
  • Squad: League positions show Croatia third and Ghana second domestically.
  • Efficiency: Efficiency metrics are unavailable for both teams.
  • Transition: Transition data is not available ahead of the match.
  • Set pieces: Set piece analysis shows low confidence with no xG data available.
  • xVariable: xVariable insights remain limited due to unavailable metrics.
  • Market: Croatia 53.8% (Δ+0%) | Draw 28.3% (Δ+0%) | Ghana 18% (Δ+0%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Croatia Z. Dalić
Z. Dalić
VS
Ghana C. Brito Leal Queiróz
C. Brito Leal Queiróz
1.5
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Panama Rank: W
England Rank: L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
England Rank: D
Panama Rank: W
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0
No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Croatia
53.75%
Draw
28.29%
Away Ghana
17.95%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power score: composite of opponent-weighted form (last 6 & 20 games) and league position over last 3 seasons.
46.3
16.3
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Croatia
Ghana
Power Score
46.3
16.3
League Position
3
2
Global Rank
11
74

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Croatia — Opponent-weighted form score
Ghana — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Croatia Ghana

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 0 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Croatia CRO Home
0 matches
Ghana GHA Away
Match Record
0
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
0
Goals
0
Goals Scored
0
0
Goals Conceded
0
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-06-26T00:02:11+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-3-3
Pitch
D. Livaković
1 D. Livaković
J. Stanisic
2 J. Stanisic
J. Šutalo
6 J. Šutalo
M. Pongracic
3 M. Pongracic
J. Gvardiol
4 J. Gvardiol
L. Modrić
10 L. Modrić
M. Kovačić
8 M. Kovačić
M. Pasalic
24 M. Pasalic
M. Baturina
16 M. Baturina
I. Perišić
14 I. Perišić
P. Musa
26 P. Musa
B. Asare
16 B. Asare
G. Mensah
14 G. Mensah
J. Opoku
18 J. Opoku
J. Adjei Adjetey
4 J. Adjei Adjetey
M. Senaya
26 M. Senaya
K. Sibo
8 K. Sibo
T. Partey
5 T. Partey
C. Yirenkyi
3 C. Yirenkyi
A. Semenyo
11 A. Semenyo
J. Ayew
9 J. Ayew
I. Williams Arthuer
19 I. Williams Arthuer

General Information

Date & Time
Jun 27, 2026, 09:00 PM
Competition
2026 World Cup, World · Round 3 · Group Stage
Stadium
Philadelphia Stadium
Capacity
69176
Pitch Surface
N/A
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Drew Fischer
Michael Barwegen
Lyes Arfa
Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh

Expected Lineup

Referee : Drew Fischer

Starting XI ▼

1
Dominik Livakovic
Dominik Livakovic Goalkeeper
7.2
26
Petar Musa
Petar Musa Centre Forward
6.87
14
Ivan Perišić
Ivan Perišić Left Wing
7.1
10
Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić Defensive Midfield
6.85
6
Josip Sutalo
Josip Sutalo Right Back
6.69
4
Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol Left Back
6.21
2
Josip Stanisic
Josip Stanisic Right Back
7.16
3
Marin Pongracic
Marin Pongracic Left Back
6.7
24
Marco Pašalić
Marco Pašalić Right Wing
6.75
8
Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic Defensive Midfield
6.78
16
Martin Baturina
Martin Baturina Attacking Midfield
7.53
Referee : Drew Fischer

Starting XI ▼

16
Benjamin Asare
Benjamin Asare Goalkeeper
7.37
9
Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew Centre Forward
6.7
11
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo Attacker
6.36
19
Iñaki Williams
Iñaki Williams Attacker
6.15
3
Caleb Yirenkyi
Caleb Yirenkyi Central Midfield
7.01
4
Jonas Adjetey
Jonas Adjetey Right Back
7.19
14
Gideon Mensah
Gideon Mensah Left Back
7.06
18
Jerome Opoku
Jerome Opoku Left Back
7.2
26
Marvin Senaya
Marvin Senaya Right Back
7.13
8
Kwasi Sibo
Kwasi Sibo Central Midfield
6.63
5
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey Central Midfield
7.11

CONCLUSION

Croatia's clear power superiority positions them to dictate the tempo against Ghana in this World Cup group stage encounter. Ghana will seek to counter with their domestic credentials and higher form score despite the overall deficit. Limited efficiency and transition details place emphasis on fundamental team qualities. Set piece contributions lack detailed projections yet could influence key moments. The match tests both sides' adaptability in an international setting where points matter early. Croatia appear better equipped structurally while Ghana aim to remain competitive through organisation and opportunism. Expect a contest defined by tactical discipline and individual contributions over ninety minutes.