In a group featuring tournament favorites England national football team and reigning world bronze medalists Croatia national football team, Ghana know that securing three points against Panama in their opening match is crucial if they hope to advance to the knockout stage.
Although Ghana are ranked 73rd in the FIFA rankings—39 places below Panama, who sit 34th—the Black Stars are still considered slight favorites heading into this encounter.
Ghana’s low ranking is largely the result of a disappointing run of friendly matches. In their seven warm-up games before the World Cup, they recorded six defeats and one draw, the latter being a 1-1 result against Wales national football team earlier this month.
Panama, by contrast, arrive in much better form, having gone unbeaten in four of their last five matches.
Corner statistics strongly favor Panama. Ghana have failed to win more than four corners in any of their last seven matches, while losing the corner count in six of those seven games.
Panama have averaged 4.25 corners per match across their last four outings and covered the full-match corner handicap in three of those four contests.
Based on these trends, a low-corner game appears likely, with the total corner count potentially staying below eight.
Full Match Corner Picks
- Panama corner handicap
- Under total corners
First-Half Corner Betting Analysis
Ghana’s early-game corner numbers have also been disappointing.
They have gone seven consecutive matches without earning more than two first-half corners, and lost the first-half corner handicap in six of those seven games.
Panama’s recent matches against stronger opposition have also produced relatively low first-half corner totals. Three of their last four such encounters finished under the first-half corner line.
These statistics suggest a cautious opening period with limited attacking pressure from either side.
First-Half Corner Picks
- Panama first-half corner handicap
- Under first-half corners
Team News
Ghana
- Midfielder Thomas Partey is unavailable after not receiving a Canadian visa in time for the opening match, though he is expected to be available for Ghana’s remaining group-stage fixtures.
Panama
- Star midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla missed all of Panama’s World Cup warm-up matches due to injury.
- However, he could make an appearance from the bench against Ghana.
Probable Lineups
Ghana
Ati-Zigi; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Owusu, Yirenkyi, Nuamah, Boakye, Semenyo; Ayew.
Panama
Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Godoy, Harvey, Davis; Rodriguez, Diaz, Fajardo.
Head-to-Head Record
The two national teams have never met before in any official or friendly competition.
Betting Summary
Full Match Corners
✅ Panama corner handicap
✅ Under total corners
First-Half Corners
✅ Panama first-half corner handicap
✅ Under first-half corners
Key Supporting Factors
- Ghana have not won more than four corners in any of their last seven matches.
- Ghana have lost the corner count in six of their previous seven games.
- Panama have covered the full-match corner handicap in three of their last four matches.
- Ghana have not earned more than two first-half corners in seven consecutive matches.
- Three of Panama’s last four matches against stronger opponents stayed under the first-half corner line.