A surprising development emerged with the announcement of the starting lineup: Captain Anibal Godoy is absent from the starting eleven, and there has been no indication of an injury. In total, five players who were expected to start according to our team guide will not feature today.
The lineup set to face Ghana is: Mosquera; Andrade, Cordoba, Ramos, Blackman; Rodriguez, Martinez, Harvey, Murillo; Waterman, Barcenas (captain).
While a majority of Ghana’s players are affiliated with prominent clubs in Europe, the Panamanian squad showcases a more diverse employment landscape.
Four players are currently based in Mexico, while other countries in the Americas contribute two players each—Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the USA, Venezuela, and Panama itself. Additionally, players hail from Austria, Azerbaijan, England, Honduras, Israel, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Uruguay.
Visa complications have affected numerous teams traveling to the USA, but Ghana faces a unique situation with a player who is permitted in the USA but barred from entering Canada. Midfielder Thomas Partey, a former Arsenal player now with Villarreal, could not cross the border. Legal documents indicate Partey has asserted he is not facing criminal charges anywhere; however, he awaits trial in London regarding allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Injuries have sidelined Mohammed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu from the Ghanaian squad.
The starting XI for Ghana against Panama includes: Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Adjetey, Opoku, Senaya; Yirenkyi, Owusu; Semenyo, Sulemana, Nuamah; Ayew (captain).
London-born Antoine Semenyo enters this World Cup following a challenging season in the Premier League. Jordan Ayew has recorded 34 goals in 120 matches, but his performance, along with that of his club Leicester City, has seen a decline.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi will take his place in goal, which means we miss the opportunity to see Joseph Anang from St. Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland.
Three players in the starting eleven represent Auxerre: midfielder Elisha Owusu and defenders Gideon Mensah and Marvin Senaya. Another, Ernest Nuamah, also plays in France for Lyon.
Fans may also be intrigued to know that another match is currently underway, and it is quite a spectacle.
U.S. supporters might experience some discomfort watching this matchup, given the history. Both Ghana and Panama have delivered significant defeats to the U.S. team over the years.
Ghana eliminated the USA in the World Cups of 2006 and 2010, before the USA sought revenge in 2014.
Panama has been a more recent obstacle, prominently featured in the documentary series “US Against the World: Four Years with the Men’s National Soccer Team.” The Central American nation has triumphed over the USA in four of their last five competitive encounters: a World Cup qualifier in 2021, a Gold Cup semifinal in 2023, a Copa America group-stage match in 2024, and the 2025 Concacaf Nations League semifinal.
This history is likely irrelevant to the home supporters at this venue in Toronto, which is the smallest stadium for this Cup, even after the addition of 17,000 temporary seats.
On paper, Ghana appears to be the favored team. However, U.S. fans can attest to the unpredictability of facing Panama.
