Ghana clinches opening World Cup win over Panama

Ghana earned a 1‑0 victory over Panama in the opening Group 12 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. The winning goal was scored in the fifth minute of added time in the second half by forward Caleb Yirenki (named Kâleb in Arabic reports). Both sides created chances but the defenses held firm until the late strike secured the three points for Ghana.

The result places Ghana level on three points with England at the top of the group, while Panama and Croatia remain winless after their opening games. The narrow win highlights the competitive nature of the group and sets the stage for the next round of matches.

The match was the first of the tournament’s group stage, marking the start of the World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.