Croatia vs Ghana Predicted Lineups & Team News

Croatia and Ghana meet in Philadelphia on Saturday with both sides knowing a victory in Group L will seal their spot in the World Cup knockout rounds.

The Blazers lost their opening game to England but bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Panama. Ghana beat the Canal Men by the same scoreline with a 95th-minute goal in their first game before holding the Three Lions to a goalless draw and currently sit second with four points.

Here's all the team news, key players and predicted lineups ahead of the game.

Croatia vs Ghana Odds

Croatia

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has a fully-fit squad to choose from but will have to decide whether to make changes to the side that defeated Panama.

Ante Budimir came on for the second half and scored the winner so will be pushing for a start as Croatia aim to beat Ghana and deny the Black Stars a third clean sheet in the group stage.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol was replaced at half-time against Panama but should start again as Croatia need a positive result to ensure they progress.

Luka Modric, who is now 40, has taken to the field against England and Panama and is expected to be in the starting line-up to face Ghana.

Ghana

Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was forced off against Panama with a groin problem but is back again and available for selection.

However, head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to stick with Benjamin Asare between the sticks after the Hearts of Oak stopper deputised and kept a clean sheet against England.

The Black Stars boss has all of his outfield players available and will have been buoyed by the progress the side has made in the opening two games.

Prince Kwabena Adu was introduced from the bench with just over 20 minutes to play and was then subbed off in the dying stages. However, this was thought to be for tactical reasons and so the Viktoria Plzen midfielder will take his place in the squad on Saturday.

Croatia vs Ghana Key Players

Luka Modric

Luka Modric turns 41 in September but still has a huge influence for Croatia, starting both of his side’s World Cup group games this summer.

In doing so, the Milan midfielder earned his 200th cap in the win over Panama, becoming only the fourth man to make that many international appearances after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

Dictating the play in the centre of the park, Modric’s reading of the game means he is always one step ahead and he remains a vital cog in the Croatia set-up.

Antoine Semenyo

The forward ended the season with 17 goals in the Premier League following a January move from Bournemouth to Manchester City.

Semenyo’s last strike for Ghana came in a 5-0 victory over Chad back in March 2025 but while the wide player hasn’t hit the back of the net for over a year, his skill, energy and direct running in forward areas has proved crucial.

The 26-year-old will be eager to open his World Cup account against Croatia and ensure the Black Stars reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2010.

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com