Ghana vs Panama prediction, as Antoine Semenyo looks to make his 2026 World Cup mark

Antoine Semenyo with his hand obscuring a part of his face in front of the camera.
Ghana face off against Panama in Group L tonight at the 2026 World Cup - can Antoine Semenyo make his mark? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ghana vs Panama will hopefully continue the action-packed football that England vs Croatia displayed in Group L's opener earlier this evening.

Unfortunately for Ghana, who were once responsible for one of the World Cup's best and most devastating underdog runs, they don't appear likely to deliver such magic again.

Panama, opposite to what people may assume, have entered the North American tournament in far stronger form, but will that continue in their Group L face-off?

Ghana vs Panama prediction, Antoine Semenyo's men look to start Group L strongly at the 2026 World Cup

Antoine Semenyo of Ghana in action during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Ghana enter the clash in horrendous form... but Panama have never won a World Cup match before. (Image credit: Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

If Ghana are to prevail this evening, and have the best chance of securing knock-out football at the 2026 World Cup, it will likely be down to the efforts of their main man.

Antoine Semenyo was no longer the standout winger for a non-Big 6 side in the Premier League this season — well, he was for half of it — but he was the English top flight's best wide man for an actual title contender in Manchester City following his mid season move.

Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

If Ghana have any chance, Semenyo will be the man to deliver it, after a wonderful season with Manchester City. (Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ghana have lost six of their last seven games heading into the tournament, with their solitary result being a 1-1 draw against Wales.

In that time, they've shipped 13 goals, scoring just three of their own, with Semenyo playing in four of them.

Conversely, Panama enter the clash with two wins and three draws in their last seven, scoring 11 goals.

Even in a heavy loss to Brazil back in May, with a near full strength squad fielded by Ancelotti, Panama still struck two goals in a 6-2 defeat.

Ultimately, Panama are a superior unit to Ghana on the international stage right now, although, the gap isn't large enough to make the result so clear-cut.

Cecilio Waterman (L) celebrates with teammate Eric Davis after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifier football match between Guatemala and Panama.

Tonight is the night that Panama will get the result they so badly crave at the World Cup. (Image credit: JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

With Semenyo in tow, Ghana are capable of producing magic at any given moment should the Manchester City man turn on the burners.

However, if Panama are to get their game plan correct, which appears likely given the confidence they must feel entering the match in surprisingly good form, the result is theirs for the taking.

Despite Panama having never won a World Cup game, or even drawn one, it feels more likely than not that they will finally get over the line and deliver a result for their country tonight.

Prediction: Ghana 1-2 Panama

Kedar Bayley
Freelance Writer

Kedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC, he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television, you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.

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