Ghana vs Panama

Ghana's World Cup history is studded with heartbreak and controversy — Suárez's hand on the line in 2010, the missed penalty that followed — but this Black Stars side arrives in North America with a quiet determination that previous iterations lacked. Otto Addo, returning for a second spell as coach, has instilled a pressing structure that made Ghana the most prolific pressing side in CAF qualifying, and Thomas Partey's availability, if managed carefully, gives them a midfield anchor few African teams can match. Panama, by contrast, are here through the back door of the expanded format, having finished fourth in CONCACAF qualifying before squeaking past New Zealand in the intercontinental playoff. Their 2018 World Cup was a harsh introduction — three defeats, ten goals conceded — but Thomas Christiansen has tightened the ship since then, building around the experience of Aníbal Godoy in midfield and a defensive discipline that gave Mexico and the United States uncomfortable evenings in qualifying. These sides have never met.

Ghana will dominate possession and territory; the question is whether they can turn that control into clear chances against a team content to absorb and spring forward through Michael Murillo's runs from full-back. If Panama can stay compact through the first hour and frustrate, the match becomes a test of Ghana's patience and finishing — two areas where the Black Stars have historically been unreliable. The underdogs have a puncher's chance, nothing more, but in tournament football that is occasionally enough.