World Cup Action Begins
World Cup Opening Matches Feature Ghana-Panama, Messi's Argentina, England-Croatia, and Brazil-Morocco
Key Points
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was “appointed on a short-term contract in April,” tasked with managing a squad that blends veterans such as captain Jordan Ayew and midfield lynchpin Thomas Partey with “a younger wave of European-based talent.”
Panama’s recent form in qualification featured major defensive control: they went unbeaten (“without a single defeat”), finishing with “seven and drawing three” in ten matches while conceding only “two goals in the final round.”
Argentina’s World Cup run is framed around Lionel Messi’s timeline and legacy: the Sporting News profile says it will “likely be [Messi’s] last major tournament,” and that he’s “aiming to lead his team to become first side to retain the World Cup crown since Brazil in 1962.”
The Sporting News also outlines how Group J standings map to the knockout bracket: the “winner of Group J will enter the knockout stage bracket on the bottom half,” facing the “runner-up of Group H,” while the “Group J runner-up” goes to the “top half” to play the “winner of Group H.”
For England vs. Croatia, the Lokmat Times preview adds nuance to the “record-setting” storyline: it says England won every match in qualifying under Thomas Tuchel and kept “eight consecutive clean sheets,” but that “back-to-back friendly defeats to Uruguay and Japan” tempered optimism—while Croatia qualified by winning “seven of their eight group matches” and is backed by experience, including their 2018 extra-time semi-final win over England.
Ghana and Panama open Group L play at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17, but the Black Stars face a stunning setback before a ball is kicked. Thomas Partey, Ghana's midfield lynchpin, has been denied entry into Canada and remains stranded in Boston due to ongoing legal proceedings — leaving coach Carlos Queiroz to rethink his entire midfield plan hours before kickoff.
The match kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Peacock. It is one of 104 total matches in the expanded 48-team tournament — the largest World Cup in history.
Partey Stranded in Boston as Canada Bars Entry
Canadian immigration officials denied Partey entry on June 16 — just 24 hours before kickoff — citing ongoing legal proceedings that fail to meet the country's strict entry requirements. He remains under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Boston. Canada's immigration law bars individuals with unresolved legal matters that could equate to a serious offense under Canadian law.
The loss is enormous for Ghana. Partey is the engine of the midfield. Without him, the link between defense and Ghana's younger European-based attackers becomes fragile. Coach Carlos Queiroz was only appointed on a short-term contract in April. He now faces his biggest test before his side has even taken the field. Captain Jordan Ayew will be expected to hold the squad together.
Panama Arrive Unbeaten With a Near-Perfect Defense
Panama enter the match in strong form. In the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, they went unbeaten — 7 wins and 3 draws in 10 matches. More impressive still, they conceded only 2 goals across the entire qualifying campaign. That level of defensive control is rare and gives Panama a real platform to absorb pressure and hit on the counter.
For Ghana, the stakes are high beyond just today. The Black Stars have suffered early group-stage exits in recent World Cup cycles. Queiroz was brought in specifically to stop that slide. A loss to a defensively disciplined Panama side — especially without Partey — would put Ghana in serious danger of another early exit.
England vs. Croatia Carry the Weight of 2018
Elsewhere in Group L, England face Croatia in a rematch loaded with history. Under Thomas Tuchel, England won every qualifying match and kept 8 consecutive clean sheets — a record-setting run. But two friendly losses, to Uruguay and Japan, have tempered expectations heading into the tournament, according to Lokmat Times.
Croatia arrive with their own strong credentials. They won 7 of 8 qualifying matches and carry the psychological edge of beating England in extra time in the 2018 World Cup semi-final. That history matters. Tuchel's side must prove their qualifying form holds up when the pressure is real — not just in friendlies or routine qualifiers.
Messi Eyes History as Argentina Hunt Back-to-Back Titles
In Group J, Argentina enter as defending champions with massive momentum. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria in their opening match. The Sporting News describes this tournament as what will "likely be his last major tournament." He is aiming to lead Argentina to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Their next match is against Austria on June 22 at 1 p.m. ET.
Where Argentina finish in Group J carries tactical consequences. According to The Sporting News, the Group J winner enters the bottom half of the knockout bracket, facing the runner-up of Group H. The Group J runner-up goes to the top half instead, to face the Group H winner. Argentina will want to control their fate — and finishing first gives them the clearer path.
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