England were unable to break down a resolute Ghana on Matchday 2. Look at the best data from this Group L game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our England vs Ghana stats page.
England were left frustrated in their second game of the 2026 World Cup after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana at Boston Stadium.
The Three Lions knew a victory would be enough to progress from Group L on Tuesday, but will now have to complete the job when they face Panama on Matchday 3 next Saturday.
England started brightly and controlled possession, but were unable to test Benjamin Asare, with Declan Riceâs stinging drive from a free-kick flying over the crossbar in the 14th minute, and that pattern of the game continued up until half-time.
Some solid defending from Thomas Partey denied Jude Bellingham an attempt on goal, before Rice headed over from Noni Maduekeâs cross and Harry Kane saw his shot from inside the penalty area deflected behind by Jonas Adjetey.
It was the first time since Croatia faced Belgium in 2022 that neither side managed a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup match, but England finally forced the first saved through Anthony Gordonâs tame effort just before the hour, which Asare dealt with easily.
Asare then got down low to stop Kaneâs strike from the edge of the box, before substitute Bukayo Saka sent his header over the crossbar, with Thomas Tuchel introducing Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for their World Cup debuts.
But Ghana posed a threat on the counter and only a last-ditch intervention from Ezri Konsa stopped Prince Adu from the chance to test Jordan Pickford, but England looked the more likely to snatch a winner in the closing stages.
Saka first saw his curling shot brilliantly thwarted by Asare, before Nico OâReilly headed Reece Jamesâ cross against the woodwork, with the rebound falling kindly to Kane, who somehow fired over from six yards out.
England Fail to Fire But Guéhi Justifies Selection
After edging an entertaining six-goal thriller against Croatia, many predicted England to sparkle in attack against a Ghana side ranked 65th in the world, the lowest ranked FIFA nation that the Three Lions have faced at a major tournament over the last 30 years.
However, Tuchelâs side struggled to replicate the dynamism on show in attack here, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. Englandâs 104 successful passes ending in the final third were the most by a side that have failed to have a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup game on record (since 1966).
But at the other end, the England boss will be pleased by Marc GuĂ©hiâs performance, who came in to replace John Stones in defence. The Manchester City defender won seven fouls, the joint most by a defender on record (since 1966) in a World Cup game.
He also completed 126 passes, the most by an England player on record (since 1966) in a World Cup match, and he could have even got himself on the scoresheet late on, had it not been for a clearance off the line from his header.
There will be a lot Tuchel will take from this performance, most notably how his team can improve in attack. Englandâs 19 shots were their most without scoring in a World Cup match since their final group stage game against Nigeria in 2002 (25), while they finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.28.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the England vs Ghana stats from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L meeting at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts on 23 June.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
England vs Ghana: Selected Post-Match Opta Facts
England have drawn 23 games at the FIFA World Cup, with 13 of them being 0-0; both are the highest numbers of any side in the history of the competition.
England had 78.8% possession against Ghana â itâs their highest ever figure in a FIFA World Cup match on record (since 1966), and also the most by any side who failed to score in a match in the competition (also since 1966).
Ghana had two shots in this match, the joint-lowest of any side so far in a game at the 2026 World Cup, and the fewest England have faced in the competition on record (since 1966).
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England were left frustrated in their second game of the 2026 World Cup after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana at Boston Stadium.
The Three Lions knew a victory would be enough to progress from Group L on Tuesday, but will now have to complete the job when they face Panama on Matchday 3 next Saturday.
England started brightly and controlled possession, but were unable to test Benjamin Asare, with Declan Riceâs stinging drive from a free-kick flying over the crossbar in the 14th minute, and that pattern of the game continued up until half-time.
Some solid defending from Thomas Partey denied Jude Bellingham an attempt on goal, before Rice headed over from Noni Maduekeâs cross and Harry Kane saw his shot from inside the penalty area deflected behind by Jonas Adjetey.
It was the first time since Croatia faced Belgium in 2022 that neither side managed a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup match, but England finally forced the first saved through Anthony Gordonâs tame effort just before the hour, which Asare dealt with easily.
Asare then got down low to stop Kaneâs strike from the edge of the box, before substitute Bukayo Saka sent his header over the crossbar, with Thomas Tuchel introducing Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for their World Cup debuts.
But Ghana posed a threat on the counter and only a last-ditch intervention from Ezri Konsa stopped Prince Adu from the chance to test Jordan Pickford, but England looked the more likely to snatch a winner in the closing stages.
Saka first saw his curling shot brilliantly thwarted by Asare, before Nico OâReilly headed Reece Jamesâ cross against the woodwork, with the rebound falling kindly to Kane, who somehow fired over from six yards out.
England Fail to Fire But Guéhi Justifies Selection
After edging an entertaining six-goal thriller against Croatia, many predicted England to sparkle in attack against a Ghana side ranked 65th in the world, the lowest ranked FIFA nation that the Three Lions have faced at a major tournament over the last 30 years.
However, Tuchelâs side struggled to replicate the dynamism on show in attack here, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. Englandâs 104 successful passes ending in the final third were the most by a side that have failed to have a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup game on record (since 1966).
But at the other end, the England boss will be pleased by Marc GuĂ©hiâs performance, who came in to replace John Stones in defence. The Manchester City defender won seven fouls, the joint most by a defender on record (since 1966) in a World Cup game.
He also completed 126 passes, the most by an England player on record (since 1966) in a World Cup match, and he could have even got himself on the scoresheet late on, had it not been for a clearance off the line from his header.
There will be a lot Tuchel will take from this performance, most notably how his team can improve in attack. Englandâs 19 shots were their most without scoring in a World Cup match since their final group stage game against Nigeria in 2002 (25), while they finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.28.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the England vs Ghana stats from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L meeting at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts on 23 June.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
England vs Ghana: Selected Post-Match Opta Facts
England have drawn 23 games at the FIFA World Cup, with 13 of them being 0-0; both are the highest numbers of any side in the history of the competition.
England had 78.8% possession against Ghana â itâs their highest ever figure in a FIFA World Cup match on record (since 1966), and also the most by any side who failed to score in a match in the competition (also since 1966).
Ghana had two shots in this match, the joint-lowest of any side so far in a game at the 2026 World Cup, and the fewest England have faced in the competition on record (since 1966).
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