World Cup 2026: Black Stars must be ready to suffer – Carlos Queiroz ahead of England showdown

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Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has urged his players to brace for even tougher battles as the Black Stars prepare for their highly anticipated clash against England following their dramatic victory over Panama in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday night.

The West African giants left it late to secure all three points, with substitute midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi slotting home the winner deep into stoppage time.

The Black Stars were pushed to their limits by a determined Panama side in Toronto, but they showed resilience, composure and character to claim a 1-0 victory in a match that appeared destined to end in a goalless draw.

Substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante sparked the decisive move with a rapid counterattack before delivering a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area. Arriving at exactly the right moment, Yirenkyi calmly slotted the ball home to send Ghanaian supporters into wild celebrations.

Asked what his team should expect as they prepare to face England, Queiroz stressed the importance of sacrifice and mental toughness.

“To suffer and play. We have to suffer; there is no other way. We must be ready to make sacrifices. You have to be ready to pay the price because a win in this World Cup is very expensive. But the boys are ready to pay that price. Very expensive,” he said.

The victory gives Ghana a perfect start to their World Cup campaign and puts them in a strong position in Group L following England’s 4-2 win over Croatia.

It also provides a major confidence boost ahead of the Black Stars’ next challenge against the Three Lions, with Queiroz’s side aiming to build on their winning start and take another significant step towards the knockout stages.