Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has made it clear that Ghana will not play for a draw when they face Croatia in their final Group L match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that his players have only one objective going into the decisive encounter.
Although a draw would be enough to send Ghana into the Round of 32, the experienced Portuguese coach says his team will approach the match with a winning mentality. According to Queiroz, the Black Stars must focus on outperforming Croatia rather than thinking about the mathematics of qualification.
The highly anticipated fixture will take place on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where both nations will battle for a place in the knockout stages. With so much at stake, Queiroz believes the only way to prepare is by concentrating on producing another disciplined and committed performance.
Ghana in strong position after impressive start
The Black Stars have enjoyed an encouraging start to their World Cup campaign, collecting four points from their opening two Group L matches to place themselves in an excellent position ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Ghana began the tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, earning three valuable points through a disciplined display that highlighted the team’s growing confidence under Queiroz.
The Black Stars then faced one of the tournament favourites, England, in what many expected to be their toughest group-stage challenge. Despite England dominating possession for long periods, Ghana defended superbly and frustrated the Three Lions throughout the contest.
The goalless draw against England earned widespread praise from football experts, with many highlighting Ghana’s organisation, teamwork and resilience against one of Europe’s strongest national teams.
Those results have left Ghana on four points after two matches, level with England at the top of Group L and firmly in control of their qualification hopes.
Queiroz demands another top performance
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Queiroz stressed that his players must remain fully focused on delivering another high-quality performance against Croatia.
Rather than discussing the possibility of playing for a draw, the veteran coach emphasised that Ghana’s objective is to be better than their opponents from the first whistle until the final minute.
“Tomorrow, we only have one option. We need to come out more stronger and better than Croatia,” the Portuguese coach said.
His comments underline the positive mentality that has developed within the Black Stars camp since he took charge earlier this year.
Queiroz believes success comes from concentrating on performance instead of becoming distracted by different qualification scenarios.
The coach has consistently encouraged his players to remain disciplined, work hard for one another and approach every match with the same level of determination regardless of the opponent.
Defensive improvement has transformed Ghana
One of the biggest reasons behind Ghana’s strong World Cup campaign has been the dramatic improvement in the team’s defensive organisation.
Since Queiroz’s appointment in April, the Black Stars have become much more compact and difficult to break down.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare has impressed whenever called upon, while defenders Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey and Marvin Senaya have formed a well-organised backline that has frustrated opposition attacks.
The midfield has also played an important role by protecting the defence, recovering possession quickly and limiting the amount of space available to opponents.
As a result, Ghana have kept clean sheets in both of their group-stage matches, an achievement that has provided the team with a solid platform to compete against stronger opposition.
Even England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted after Tuesday’s draw that Ghana’s physical strength, tactical discipline and defensive structure made it extremely difficult for his team to create meaningful chances.
Croatia present another difficult challenge
Despite Ghana’s encouraging start, Queiroz knows his players face another demanding test against Croatia.
The European side revived their qualification hopes with victory over Panama and now enter Saturday’s match knowing they must produce a positive result to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
Croatia possess experienced players, technical quality and a strong midfield capable of controlling possession for long periods.
That means Ghana will once again need to remain organised defensively while also taking advantage of opportunities to attack whenever they arise.
The Black Stars have shown throughout the tournament that they can adapt to different opponents, and Queiroz will expect another intelligent tactical display from his players.
Unlike the England match, where Ghana spent long periods defending, Saturday’s encounter could become more open depending on how both teams approach the game.
Opportunity to finish top of Group L
While qualification remains Ghana’s immediate objective, the Black Stars also have the opportunity to finish as winners of Group L.
Victory over Croatia would guarantee Ghana a place in the Round of 32 and could also secure first place in the group if England fail to defeat Panama in the other group fixture.
Finishing top would represent another major achievement for a squad that many observers underestimated before the tournament began.
It could also provide Ghana with a more favourable path in the knockout rounds, making Saturday’s match even more important.
However, Queiroz has made it clear that his players are not thinking too far ahead. Instead, their full attention remains fixed on producing another strong performance against Croatia.
Belief growing inside the Ghana camp
Confidence has steadily increased within the Black Stars camp following the impressive results against Panama and England.
Players have repeatedly spoken about the unity within the squad and the trust they have in Queiroz’s tactical approach.
Former players, football experts and supporters have also praised the team’s organisation and commitment, with many believing Ghana have the potential to enjoy a memorable tournament.
The visit by senior government officials to the team’s training camp earlier in the week further boosted morale, with players receiving messages of encouragement and support ahead of the decisive fixture.
That growing belief has created a positive atmosphere as the Black Stars prepare for one of their biggest matches in recent years.
Chance to return to the knockout stage
For Ghana, Saturday’s encounter represents an opportunity to return to the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since the unforgettable 2010 tournament in South Africa.
That campaign saw the Black Stars reach the quarter-finals and come within a penalty shootout of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. The current generation of players now has the opportunity to write its own chapter in Ghanaian football history.
With four points already secured, two impressive defensive performances behind them and confidence continuing to grow, the Black Stars know they are only one strong display away from extending their stay in the tournament.
Queiroz’s message to his players is straightforward. Forget about playing for a draw, ignore the qualification calculations and focus on being better than Croatia.
If Ghana can once again combine discipline, teamwork and determination with greater attacking efficiency, the Black Stars will have every chance of securing victory, qualifying for the Round of 32 and taking another important step toward achieving their World Cup ambitions.
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