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2026 World Cup: ‘We don’t care too much about Ghana’ – Croatia coach

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic says his team is not overly worried about facing Ghana in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He noted, despite acknowledging the Black Stars’ quality and athleticism.

Speaking after the official draw in Washington, Dalic made it clear that Croatia’s main focus will be on their own performance rather than their Group L opponents.

“We don’t care too much about Ghana,” Dalic stated when asked about the Black Stars’ threat. “I know my friend Asamoah Gyan, we played together when I was in LA. I know there will be tough games. Ghana’s team is very strong and fast, and it is not going to be easy for us.”

Croatia finalists in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022 opens their World Cup campaign against England before taking on Panama and later Ghana in what analysts already expect to be a high-stakes finale.

Dalic stressed that despite his confidence, Croatia will approach Ghana with seriousness and respect.

“Our goal is to go past the group stage. We’ll take it step by step. It won’t be easy. Full respect to Ghana, they will not be easy opponents,” he added.

Ghana enters the tournament with a promising and youthful squad led by Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and emerging talents from the country’s European contingents. The Black Stars begin their 2026 journey against Panama on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in back-to-back heavyweight fixtures.

The final group game between Ghana and Croatia is already seen as potentially decisive for qualification, with both teams known for their consistency at major tournaments.

Ghana will be appearing at the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time, having previously qualified in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
The Black Stars first reached the Round of 16 in 2006 with the youngest squad at the tournament and were ranked 13th by FIFA.

In 2010, Ghana advanced to the quarter-finals, becoming one of Africa’s most successful teams in World Cup history. Their historic run ended in dramatic fashion after Uruguay’s Luis Suárez deliberately blocked a goal-bound shot with his hand in extra time, denying Ghana what would have been a semi-final berth.

Ghana did not progress beyond the group stage in both 2014 and 2022 but return to the 2026 tournament with renewed optimism and fresh emerging talent.