Croatia vs Ghana: Lineups and Crucial Mission for World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Ticket

Croatia and Ghana are poised to field altered squads in their decisive final Group L encounter of the 2026 World Cup, with both teams aiming to secure a coveted spot in the knockout stage. The match, scheduled for Sunday morning in Philadelphia, carries significant weight as Ghana currently holds second place in the group with four points, while Croatia trails closely in third with three points.

A victory is paramount for Croatia to keep their hopes of advancing alive, whereas a win would guarantee Ghana's progression to the round of 32. The Croatian squad sees Dominik Livakovic return in goal, with Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, and Ivan Perisic retaining their starting positions. Changes are noted in the left defensive sector and the attacking line, with Ante Budimir expected to lead the offense and Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic earning starts.

Ghana's coach has implemented more substantial changes compared to their previous goalless draw against England. Key players Benjamin Asare and Thomas Partey remain central to the team's strategy. While Jonas Adjetey, Marvin Senaya, and Gideon Mensah are set to start, Derrick Luckassen will replace Jerome Opoku in defense. The midfield and forward lines also see shifts, with Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana all beginning the match. Despite these rotations, Ghana maintains Thomas Partey as a pivotal figure in midfield and Jordan Ayew as the primary striker.