- England predicted lineup: Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are expected to start having missed on the starting XI against Croatia.
- The match kicks off on Tuesday, June 23 from 11:00 PM EAT at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Following an opening-round 4-2 win against Croatia, another win would see The Three Lions book a last 32 spot.
England will look to take a giant step towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages when they face Ghana in their second Group L encounter on Tuesday.
The Three Lions kicked off their campaign in impressive fashion with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, a performance that showcased their attacking quality and depth.
With confidence high in the camp, manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to retain the bulk of the side that started the tournament opener, although one notable change could see Bukayo Saka return to the starting lineup.
READ MORE: England vs Ghana prediction: World Cup 2026 preview, team news, key stats & h2h
England are once again expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that allows their creative players the freedom to influence matches while maintaining defensive balance.
Jordan Pickford is set to continue between the posts despite a mixed outing against Croatia. The experienced goalkeeper remains Tuchel’s trusted number one and will be aiming for a much-improved defensive display against a Ghanaian side capable of causing problems on the counterattack.
In defence, Reece James is expected to keep his place at right-back. While he was not at his sharpest in the opening game, his experience and quality in possession make him a vital component of England’s setup.
Ezri Konsa should continue at centre-back after another assured performance, while Marc Guehi is tipped to replace John Stones and partner the Aston Villa defender in central defence.
Nico O’Reilly is likely to retain his place at left-back. The versatile youngster has continued to impress whenever called upon and offers England an extra option in midfield phases thanks to his technical ability and positional intelligence.
The midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson is expected to remain unchanged. Rice provides the steel, leadership and ball-winning qualities that allow England to dominate the middle of the park, while Anderson’s energy and creativity have made him one of the breakout performers of the tournament so far.
Further forward, Jude Bellingham will once again occupy the attacking midfield role. The Real Madrid star delivered another influential performance against Croatia and is expected to earn his 50th international cap.
His ability to drive forward, create chances and score goals makes him one of England’s most dangerous weapons.
On the wings, Marcus Rashford is expected to start on the left after a lively display when he was subbed on in the first match . The Manchester United winger who is on loan at Barcelona will be able to bring his strong attributes such as pace and direct running which provides a constant outlet in transition.
On the opposite flank, Bukayo Saka is tipped to return to the starting XI after making a strong impact from the bench in the opener. His creativity, ball progression and decision-making could prove crucial against Ghana’s defensive structure.
Leading the attack will be captain Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker opened his World Cup account with a brace against Croatia and continues to be England’s focal point in the final third. His movement, link-up play and finishing ability make him one of the most complete forwards in world football.
With six points potentially enough to secure qualification, Tuchel will be demanding another clinical performance from his side. England possess the quality to overpower Ghana, but they will need to remain disciplined against a team boasting pace, physicality and plenty of attacking talent.
England predicted line-up vs Ghana (4-2-3-1):
Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane (C).
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