Croatia against Ghana in Philadelphia: Dalić prepares a system with three centre-backs for the match that decides the knockout stage
The Croatian national football team enters the final match of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a clear calculation: a victory against Ghana on 27 June 2026 in Philadelphia brings a guaranteed place in the knockout stage. According to FIFA’s official schedule and UEFA’s overview of the group, the Croatia – Ghana match is played at Philadelphia Stadium, namely Lincoln Financial Field, starting at 21:00 UTC, or 23:00 Central European Time. Ahead of the final round, Ghana has four points, Croatia three, England four, and Panama is without points, according to data published on the official website of the Croatian Football Federation. Since this World Cup is being played for the first time in an expanded format with 48 national teams, according to FIFA rules the two best teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance, but for Croatia the simplest scenario is victory against a direct rival.
The duel in Philadelphia therefore carries a much greater stake than an ordinary third-round match. Croatia opened the tournament with a 4:2 defeat to England in Dallas, and then against Panama in Toronto earned a 1:0 victory with a goal by Ante Budimir in the 54th minute, the HNS announced in its match report. That result returned Zlatko Dalić’s team to the fight for continuation in the competition, but it did not remove the pressure, because any outcome other than victory would leave Croatia dependent on the outcome of other matches and the ranking of third-placed national teams. Ghana did exactly what it needed in its first two appearances: it defeated Panama 1:0 and then played 0:0 against England, thereby keeping a one-point advantage over Croatia. Such a ranking makes the encounter one of the most important matches of the final part of the group stage for both national teams.
Expected Croatian line-up: Livaković in goal, Modrić as the axis, Musa at the top of the attack
According to the available previews and tactical assessments ahead of the match, Croatia could start against Ghana in a 3-4-2-1 system. Such an arrangement could bring Zlatko Dalić’s players additional security in defence, but also wider distribution of the ball toward the flanks, which was important in the victory against Panama as well. If the announcements are confirmed, Dominik Livaković remains the first choice in goal, while the back line should be carried by Joško Gvardiol, Josip Stanišić and one of the centre-backs from Dalić’s rotation, among whom is Luka Vušković. In midfield, the key figure remains Luka Modrić, who recorded his 200th appearance for the national team against Panama, while an important role alongside him is expected for younger players such as Martin Baturina, Luka Sučić and Petar Sučić.
At the top of the attack, according to the previews, Petar Musa could start, while Ivan Perišić should remain one of the main sources of width, experience and crosses from the left side. After Panama, Dalić stressed that he was pleased that Croatia’s goals at the tournament had come from constructed moves, and he particularly highlighted the importance of forwards and players coming off the bench. The HNS conveyed his message that it is not crucial only who starts the match, but also who finishes it, which suggests that substitutions could again play a major role. Croatia used the breadth of its squad against Panama, and the official match record listed appearances by Livaković, Gvardiol, Stanišić, Modrić, Baturina, Perišić, Musa, Budimir, Kramarić, Luka Sučić and Petar Sučić. It is precisely that combination of experience and freshness that could be the foundation of Dalić’s plan for a match in which a great deal of patience is expected.
Dalić announces changes, but also warns about Ghanaian counters
Zlatko Dalić has not officially confirmed the starting line-up, and the final team will be known only after the publication of the official match sheets ahead of the game. Still, from his statements after the victory over Panama it is clear that the coaching staff is considering certain adjustments. According to the HNS publication, Dalić said that Croatia is still not at the level at which it wants to be, but he emphasized that the three points against Panama were the most important objective. He specifically warned that Ghana can play in a low block, wait for a mistake and break quickly through Antoine Semenyo and Iñaki Williams. That warning is important because in the first two rounds Croatia did not always react securely to long balls and opponents’ quick transitions, which the head coach also cited as a segment that needs improvement.
According to the HNS, Dalić announced that Croatia may change part of its style of play because the current model of the team does not suit it in every detail. This opens up the possibility of a system with three centre-backs and two wide players who would have to simultaneously protect the space behind them and provide width in attack. In such a plan, Gvardiol could have a particularly important task, not only in defence but also in the first pass toward midfield. Stanišić participated in the move for the winning goal against Panama, and his ability to combine defensive discipline with runs into the final phase can be valuable against an opponent that often drops into a compact block. If Croatia really starts with three players in the back line, it will be crucial how quickly Modrić, Baturina and the Sučić players can find the half-spaces before Ghana organizes itself behind the ball.
Ghana relies on 4-3-3, Partey and a fast attacking trio
Ghana, according to its tournament pattern so far and publications by the Ghana Football Association, should respond with a 4-3-3 system. Carlos Queiroz started against England with Benjamin Asare in goal, a back four of Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku and Gideon Mensah, a midfield of Kwasi Sibo, Thomas Partey and Caleb Yirenkyi, and an attacking trio of Antoine Semenyo, Iñaki Williams and captain Jordan Ayew. The Ghanaian association announced that Partey was returned to the starting line-up in that match, while Williams received his first start of the tournament, which shows that Queiroz is seeking a balance between defensive solidity and speed in transition. Since the same attacking profile is problematic for defences that stand high, Croatia will have to be especially careful when losing the ball in the middle of the pitch.
Ghana’s player list was confirmed at the beginning of June, and the GFA listed Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Gideon Mensah, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Kamaldeen Sulemana among the key names. The same statement said that Alexander Djiku is not appearing because of a hamstring injury, which is why Derrick Luckassen was included in the squad. Ahead of the tournament, Ghana was also left without Mohammed Kudus, because FIFA announced in May that the attacking midfielder had not recovered from a quadriceps injury in time for the preliminary list. Despite the absences, Queiroz’s team has shown that it can close spaces against favoured opponents and patiently wait for moments to counter. This is particularly visible from the draw against England, in which Ghana, according to reports and reactions from the Ghanaian camp, above all defended the result and its position in the group.
Modrić’s jubilee and the pressure of generational transition
The match against Ghana comes at a special moment for Luka Modrić, who reached his 200th appearance for the Croatian national team against Panama. After the match, the HNS announced that Modrić had thereby joined a very narrow circle of footballers with 200 or more appearances for the national team, and UEFA, in its overview of Croatia’s World Cup performance, highlighted that the Croatian captain remains the central figure of Dalić’s team. For Croatia, this is also a symbolic moment, because alongside Modrić, Perišić, Livaković, Kovačić and other more experienced players, Baturina, Petar Sučić, Luka Sučić and Vušković are increasingly asserting themselves. After Panama, Dalić said that the pressure is great and that this is a new competition, regardless of the successes from 2018 and 2022.
Nikola Moro, according to the HNS, said on 26 June that the victory against Panama gave the team wind in its sails, but also that patience will be needed against Ghana. He particularly recalled that Ghana scored against Panama in the closing stages, and successfully defended against England for all 90 minutes. Joško Gvardiol, on the same day according to the HNS publication, emphasized that Ghana is very dangerous in transition and that the Croatian team must focus its preparation as much as possible on that challenge. Those statements show that Croatia does not expect an open match with a lot of space, but a duel in which attacks will have to be built carefully, while defensive balance must be preserved even during moments of long possession. In such circumstances, Modrić’s control of rhythm and the ability of younger midfielders to speed up play can be just as important as the forwards’ finishing.
What victory brings Croatia, and what threatens in the event of a draw
According to the current standings of Group L published by the HNS after the second round, England and Ghana have four points each, Croatia has three, and Panama is without points. With a victory against Ghana, Croatia reaches six points and cannot finish below second position, regardless of the outcome of the duel between England and Panama. A draw would bring Croatia four points, but Ghana would remain ahead of it with five, while the outcome of the other match would decide the final ranking and possible reliance on the table of third-placed national teams. A defeat would leave Croatia on three points and very likely distance it from continuation in the competition. That is why the match against Ghana is simple in sporting calculation, but very demanding in execution: Croatia must attack, while at the same time it must not open space for Ghana’s strongest weapon.
FIFA’s expanded format reduces the possibility of early elimination for national teams that win four points, but it does not remove it. Since, in the round of 32 national teams, alongside the 24 best teams from first and second place, another eight best third-placed teams advance, Croatia could have mathematical hope in the event of a draw. But such a scenario would not be under its complete control, especially because some groups conclude at different times. Dalić’s team therefore does not have much room for calculations, and public statements from the Croatian staff indicate that the encounter is being prepared as a match in which an active approach is necessary. At the same time, Queiroz can be more satisfied with a draw because Ghana, with five points, would be very close to or already within safe passage, depending on the ranking in the group.
The key will be patience against a low block
Tactically speaking, the match could turn on how quickly and effectively Croatia changes the side of attack. After Panama, Dalić pointed out that Croatia wanted to play through the wings and that it was precisely in that way that it reached the goal, after a move down the right side and a cross for Budimir. Against Ghana, that pattern could again be important, but with an even greater need for precision in the final phase. If Ghana remains in a low block, Croatia must not force risky passes through the middle without good protection behind the ball. The role of Perišić and Stanišić, or of the wide players in a possible 3-4-2-1 system, could be decisive for creating overloads and forcing the Ghanaian defence to shift.
On the other hand, Ghana has a clear attacking threat in the speed of Semenyo and Williams and the experience of Jordan Ayew. Partey in midfield brings physical strength, rhythm and the ability to make the first vertical pass after winning the ball. If Croatia loses its structure in the final phase of attack, Ghana can in a few seconds move the play toward the back line. That is why the Croatian midfield will have to constantly balance between creativity and caution, and the centre-backs must be ready for duels in large spaces. Livaković’s performance against Panama, when according to the HNS he had several important interventions, is an additional argument that Croatia in such a match needs a goalkeeper who can resolve rare but dangerous situations.
An encounter with major consequences
The duel between Croatia and Ghana comes at a moment when both national teams are seeking confirmation of their tournament direction. Croatia wants to continue the continuity of major results after the final in 2018 and third place in 2022, which UEFA highlighted in its overview of Croatia’s history at World Cups. Ghana, on the other hand, is seeking a return to the knockout stage and is using the experience of Queiroz, a head coach who throughout his career has led several national teams at major competitions. Although Croatia has a stronger recent history on the world stage, the current group standings give the advantage to Ghana. That is precisely why the match in Philadelphia is not only a clash of styles, but also a test of Croatia’s ability to impose its rhythm under pressure, avoid mistakes and use the quality of its most experienced players.
The official starting line-ups will be confirmed only shortly before the match, so the announced Croatian 3-4-2-1 system and Ghanaian 4-3-3 should be viewed as expected rather than final arrangements. However, the direction of the match is already quite clear: Croatia must find a goal against an organized defence, while Ghana can wait for space and use its points advantage. If Dalić’s team manages to combine Modrić’s control, Baturina’s creativity, the energy of the Sučić players, Perišić’s width and Musa’s presence in the penalty area, it will have a realistic path toward a victory that guarantees it continuation in the competition. If, however, the match turns into a slow rhythm without enough depth and risk, Ghana will get exactly what it sought in the previous two rounds: a tight duel in which one set piece, one counter or one mistake can decide the fate of the group.
Sources:
- FIFA – official schedule of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, match locations and competition format (link)
- FIFA – explanation of the format with 48 national teams and progression to the round of 32 teams (link)
- UEFA – overview of Croatia’s performance at the 2026 World Cup, groups, schedule and tournament history (link)
- Croatian Football Federation – Zlatko Dalić’s statements after the match against Panama and the standings of Group L (link)
- Croatian Football Federation – report from the Panama – Croatia 0:1 match and official match record of appearances (link)
- Croatian Football Federation – Joško Gvardiol’s statements ahead of the match against Ghana (link)
- Croatian Football Federation – Nikola Moro’s statements on preparation for Ghana and the atmosphere in the national team (link)
- Ghana Football Association – confirmed Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (link)
- Ghana Football Association – Ghana’s starting line-up against England and description of the 4-3-3 system (link)