Croatia vs Ghana World Cup 2026 Tips - 27 June
Croatia vs Ghana Group L decider at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia. Expert betting tips, form guide and picks from SA bookmakers.
- Croatia vs Ghana kicks off at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 23:00 SAST on Saturday 27 June, with both sides still alive in Group L.
- Ghana sit above Croatia on goal difference with four points apiece after the Black Stars drew 0-0 with England and Croatia beat Panama 1-0 in Matchday 2.
- We back Croatia to win and both teams to score as Luka Modric’s aging but dangerous side chase a knockout-round berth with everything on the line.
Croatia need a win to be certain of reaching the last 32 and, at 23:00 SAST on Saturday, they get their shot at a Ghana side that has already shown this tournament they will not roll over. The Black Stars arrive in Philadelphia on four points, sitting above Croatia only on goal difference, so a draw suits them just fine. That dynamic hands all the attacking burden to Zlatko Dalic’s men, and with Luka Modric still capable of picking a pass at 40 years old, we believe Croatia will find a way through, but not without a fight. Our main pick is Croatia to win, backed by a goal-line play and a Both Teams to Score double for those chasing bigger value.
The Pick Card
Prices from Hollywoodbets, Betway and Easybet. 18+. T&Cs apply.
| Selection | Bookmaker | Odds | Stake | Operator CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia Win (1X2) | Hollywoodbets | @1.60 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Both Teams to Score | Betway | @1.80 | 2 Units | Bet here |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Easybet | @1.75 | 2 Units | Bet here |
The Form Line
Croatia went into this World Cup carrying baggage from a 4-2 opening-night loss to England in Arlington, a result that exposed defensive frailties at set pieces and on the break. Dalic’s side steadied the ship in Matchday 2, grinding out a 1-0 win over Panama through Ante Budimir’s second-half tap-in, which at least confirmed the attacking machinery is functioning. Pre-tournament, they beat Slovenia 2-1 in a June friendly after defeats to Belgium (0-2) and Brazil (1-3), so Croatia enter this fixture as wounded but dangerous opponents who know exactly what is at stake.
Ghana have been a revelation under Carlos Queiroz, conceding nothing and picking up four points from their first two group games. A stoppage-time Caleb Yirenkyi goal sealed a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto, and the Black Stars then absorbed everything England threw at them in Foxborough to earn an impressive goalless draw, with goalkeeper Benjamin Asare producing three strong saves. Antoine Semenyo has been lively in attack and Jordan Ayew leads the line with the captain’s armband, but the absence of Mohammed Kudus, lost for the season to a quadriceps injury, remains a significant gap that limits Ghana’s creativity in the final third.
Head to Head
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| No previous meetings | All competitions | No H2H record |
Croatia and Ghana have never met before in any competitive or friendly fixture, meaning there is no historical head-to-head data to draw on. Both nations have World Cup pedigree, with Croatia reaching the 2018 final and the 2022 third-place match, while Ghana famously reached the 2010 quarter-finals. Saturday is a genuine first encounter, and the lack of any scouting advantage means the tactical edge could prove decisive.
Team News
Croatia have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Matchday 3. Luka Modric, 40, is fit and playing at what is his record-equalling sixth World Cup, steering the midfield alongside Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic. Josko Gvardiol is fit after a tibia fracture earlier in the year. Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic provide experience in attack, while Ante Budimir leads the line after his match-winning goal against Panama. Zlatko Dalic is expected to name a similar eleven to the one that beat Panama.
For Ghana, Mohammed Kudus is confirmed absent for the entire tournament after his season-ending quadriceps surgery. Thomas Partey, who missed the Panama opener after being denied entry to Canada over ongoing legal proceedings in the UK, returned to the starting line-up for the England draw and is expected to feature again here. Jordan Ayew captains the side, with Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku competing for forward spots. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi is listed as doubtful with a physical complaint, which could hand Benjamin Asare another start after his performance against England.
Verdict
Croatia carry more quality across the pitch and the motivation of a must-win situation, which historically has brought the best out of this generation of players. Ghana will defend deep and look to hit on the counter, and Semenyo has the pace to cause problems, which is why we lean towards Both Teams to Score landing alongside the Croatia win. Over 2.5 Goals is the speculative angle for those who believe Croatia will need to push numbers forward late and open space for Ghana to exploit. Back all three picks at the prices listed above, and trust that Modric’s class does not go missing in a game this big.
18+. Gamble responsibly. If gambling is becoming a problem, contact the SA Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008.