Sports analytics company Opta has unveiled its statistical forecasts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering an early outlook on the likely outcomes of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The upcoming edition will be the first World Cup to feature 48 nations. Ghana, preparing for its fifth appearance at football’s biggest event, is among the African teams competing.
According to Opta’s projections, the Black Stars face an uphill task. Ghana ranks 73rd in the world according to the data model, placing it lowest among the 10 African nations qualified for the tournament.
The projections show limited expectations for a deep Ghanaian run. Opta assigns the Black Stars a 6.8% chance of reaching the quarter-finals, a 0.7% chance of advancing to the final, and a 0.2% chance of winning the World Cup.
Among the tournament favorites, Spain tops the projections with a 16% chance of lifting the trophy. France follows with 13%, while reigning champions Argentina have an 11.2% chance of defending their title.
Ghana has been drawn into a challenging Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama at BMO Field on June 17. They will face England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 and complete their group-stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27.
