Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz believes the Black Stars are entering the most demanding phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing qualification for the knockout stage despite a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final Group L match.
The loss in Philadelphia saw Croatia finish second in the group, while Ghana advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams to set up a Round of 32 showdown against Colombia in Kansas City.
Speaking after the match, Queiroz stressed that the group stage was merely an introduction to the competition and warned his players that the real challenge begins in the knockout rounds.
“I have just told my players that the real World Cup starts in the next round,” the Portuguese coach said.
“The group stage is the warming-up and qualification for the next round is like a credit card, but now you have to start paying. Everything goes to the winner, every game is drama, nobody can hide.”
Ghana suffered their first defeat of the tournament against a disciplined Croatian side that struck first through Petar Sucic. The midfielder unleashed a low drive from long range in the 31st minute to give Croatia the lead and hand the Black Stars their first concession of the tournament.
The four-time African champions responded positively after the break and found an equaliser through defender Derrick Luckassen. The centre-back converted from a set-piece situation, with a VAR review confirming that midfielder Kwasi Sibo had not interfered with play during the build-up.
The goal marked a memorable moment for Luckassen, who was making his World Cup debut for Ghana.
However, Croatia regained the advantage with seven minutes remaining when Nikola Vlasic capitalised on a corner-kick situation to score what proved to be the winning goal.
Despite the defeat, Ghana’s earlier victory over Panama ensured they finished the group stage with four points, enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds under the expanded World Cup format.
Queiroz will now turn his attention to Colombia, who topped Group K after an unbeaten group-stage campaign. The South Americans have been among the tournament’s most consistent teams and will provide a stern test for the Black Stars.
The Ghana coach, however, appears determined to embrace the challenge, insisting that knockout football is where reputations are made and every mistake can prove costly.
With a place in the Round of 16 at stake, Ghana will face Colombia in Kansas City on July 4, knowing victory would move them one step closer to replicating their historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup.
For Queiroz and his players, the message is clear: qualification was only the beginning. The real battle starts now.