Ghana captain Jordan Ayew says he is looking forward to facing England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that he intends to enjoy one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.
Ayew made the remarks during Ghana’s pre-match press conference in Cardiff ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Wales, where discussion inevitably turned to the Black Stars’ upcoming World Cup campaign.
“I’m looking to have a lot of fun against England at the World Cup,” Ayew said when asked about the challenge awaiting Ghana in Group L.
The fixture is expected to be one of the standout matches of Ghana’s group-stage schedule, with the Black Stars set to take on England in Boston after opening their campaign against Panama in Toronto. Ghana will then conclude their group-stage matches against Croatia in Philadelphia.
Ayew’s comments reflect a confident mood within the Ghana camp as preparations intensify ahead of the tournament. The Leicester City forward is no stranger to English football, having spent most of his professional career in the Premier League and Championship, making the prospect of facing England particularly intriguing.
The 34-year-old heads into the tournament as Ghana’s captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad. He played a leading role in the Black Stars’ qualification campaign, contributing seven goals and seven assists as Ghana secured a fifth World Cup appearance.
The Black Stars are currently holding their pre-World Cup training camp in Cardiff, where head coach Carlos Queiroz is putting the squad through its final preparations before naming his final 26-man squad.
Tuesday’s friendly against Wales will serve as an important test for Ghana, with the coaching staff expected to use the match to assess tactical options and player combinations ahead of the tournament.
While the immediate focus remains on Wales, Ayew’s comments underline the excitement already building around Ghana’s World Cup campaign and the challenge of facing one of football’s traditional powerhouses on the global stage
