Former Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye names England clash as must-watch World Cup fixture

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has singled out Ghana's group-stage encounter with England as the match he is most looking forward to at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advocating for the inclusion of more foreign-based players to gain a psychological edge.

The Black Stars, drawn in Group L with Panama, England, and Croatia, will face the Three Lions on June 23, 2026, following their opening match against Panama.

Vanderpuye believes this specific fixture presents a unique opportunity if Ghana fields players familiar with English football.

"The one I'm looking forward to is the match against England," Vanderpuye told Citi Sports. "And that's why I want not only Semenyo, I want to have Callum Hudson-Odoi, I want to have Josh Acheampong, I want to have Rak-Sakyi… Their presence alone will give us some psychological advantage in that match."

The former minister argued that players who compete in or against top European leagues bring crucial confidence and a deep understanding of their opponents. He pointed to the tactical familiarity between players as a decisive factor, citing the well-documented challenges Arsenal's Bukayo Saka faces against Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a prime example.

"Wan-Bissaka knows him very well… In football it's always the case. When you know a player, you know what he's going to do," Vanderpuye explained.

His comments underscore a broader belief that a squad filled with players accustomed to high-level European competition will strengthen Ghana both technically and mentally, particularly for high-stakes matches like the anticipated showdown with one of the tournament favorites.

With the World Cup approaching, this view highlights an ongoing debate about squad composition and the strategic benefits of leveraging players' club experiences on the international stage.