Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has expressed confidence in Ghana’s chances of progressing from Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while cautioning the Black Stars against underestimating Panama in their opening fixture.

Speaking to  Sportsblog247.com, Ankrah acknowledged the quality within Ghana’s group but stressed that the first match could define the Black Stars’ campaign.

Ghana, making their fifth World Cup appearance since debuting in 2006, will begin their 2026 journey against Panama in Canada on June 17.

Panama are appearing at the Mundial for only the second time, having previously featured at Russia 2018, and qualified this time by topping CONCACAF Group A ahead of Suriname, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Ghana have been drawn alongside 1966 champions England and Croatia, runners-up at the 2018 World Cup, making Group L one of the more demanding sections of the tournament. While many analysts see the Panama game as a must-win encounter, Ankrah believes it carries more danger than most expect.

A veteran sports journalist who covered all of Ghana’s previous World Cup campaigns — Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022 — Ankrah suggested history could repeat itself if the Black Stars approach the tournament correctly.

“It’s a great group, full of possibilities,” he said. “If you look at 2006, our first World Cup in Germany, there were very tough teams, but the Black Stars sailed through. In 2010, again tough, but we beat Serbia and lost to Germany.

“In Brazil 2014, we faced Germany again, plus Portugal and the USA. It has always been tough, but we always find a way.”

However, Ankrah singled out Panama as a potential banana skin.

“This is a good group. England we know, Croatia have pedigree, but I’m more concerned with Panama. They have a lot of energy. People are saying Panama is three points, but teams like that want to make a statement, especially in the first game,” he warned.

“If you watch their qualifying matches, they play with passion, energy and expression — almost like South American teams. So we shouldn’t be complacent or disrespect Panama.”

Ghana’s final two group matches will be played in the United States, facing England at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on June 24, before taking on Croatia four days later at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Despite the challenges, Ankrah remains upbeat.

“Obviously, we respect England and Croatia, but it might surprise you that Ghana could even get better results against them. Overall, I’m happy with the group,” he concluded.