Ghana vs England: Head-to-Head, Results & History

Ghana and England have met only twice at senior level, and both games ended in draws. A 1-1 friendly classic at Wembley in 2011 was followed fifteen years later by a tense 0-0 stalemate at the 2026 World Cup in Foxborough.

This guide covers the full Ghana vs England head-to-head record, both results in detail, and the history behind the fixture. Match reporting for the 2026 meeting is drawn from this account of the goalless World Cup draw. For more international duels, see our Iraq vs France head-to-head.

In this guide

1. The rivalry in numbers
2. England: the Three Lions
3. Ghana: the Black Stars
4. Every Ghana vs England result
5. The most memorable matches
6. Frequently Asked Questions

The rivalry in numbers

England: the Three Lions

England have never beaten Ghana, but they have never lost to them either, and their record against African nations at World Cups remains unblemished.

• 1. Still unbeaten by Africa at the World Cup, England have never lost to an African nation at a World Cup: 5 wins and 4 draws across 9 games.
  The 2026 stalemate with Ghana extended that run.
• 2. The 2026 frustration, Thomas Tuchel’s England dominated possession at Boston Stadium but could not break down Ghana’s deep block.
  Harry Kane skied an 87th-minute rebound over the bar from close range.
• 3. Group L nearly secured, The 0-0 draw left England and Ghana level on 4 points after two group games, ahead of Croatia and Panama.
  A draw in their final group fixtures would send both through to the round of 32.
• 4. Youth on show in 2011, England fielded an experimental side at Wembley in 2011, with Andy Carroll scoring in only his second cap.
  Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll all started that night.

Ghana: the Black Stars

Ghana’s two games against England produced two famous rearguard performances, and one of Wembley’s great late equalisers.

• 5. The Gyan moment, Asamoah Gyan’s 91st-minute equaliser at Wembley in 2011 is one of Ghana’s most celebrated goals on English soil.
  He slalomed through a static England defence and finished low past Joe Hart.
• 6. A defensive masterclass in 2026, Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana frustrated England for 90 minutes in Foxborough, with goalkeeper Benjamin Asare making a string of key saves.
  “Our plan was to block and frustrate them from the first minute,” said Queiroz.
• 7. Record away following, The 2011 Wembley friendly drew 80,102 fans, including what was then a record away following for a visiting nation.
  Ghana’s supporters turned parts of Wembley into Accra for a night.
• 8. Punching above their weight, Ghana reached the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, the joint-best African finish at the time, a year before facing England.
  The Black Stars remain Africa’s great nearly-men on the world stage.

Every Ghana vs England result

The complete head-to-head: two games, two draws, fifteen years apart.

• 9. The friendly: 1-1 at Wembley, England led through Andy Carroll’s 43rd-minute strike until Asamoah Gyan’s stoppage-time equaliser.
  Referee Cüneyt Çakır oversaw a game that felt like a World Cup tie.
• 10. The World Cup game: 0-0 in Foxborough, England’s best chance came in the 87th minute when Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the crossbar and Kane fired over.
  Ghana nearly stole it when Abdul Fatawu raced clear late on.
• 11. Fifteen years between meetings, From March 2011 to June 2026, the nations did not meet once at any level that counts in the record books.
  The 2026 draw was their first-ever competitive fixture.
• 12. Perfectly balanced, Two games, 1-1 on aggregate, one goal each, zero wins each.
  There is no tighter head-to-head in international football.

The most memorable matches

Two games, both unforgettable for different reasons.

• 13. 29 Mar 2011, England 1-1 Ghana, friendly, Carroll’s first-half strike looked enough until Gyan’s 91st-minute solo equaliser silenced Wembley.
  England’s young side were applauded off despite the late blow.
• 14. 23 Jun 2026, England 0-0 Ghana, World Cup Group L, A rain-soaked tactical battle: England had 60%+ possession but only tested Asare from range.
  Jude Bellingham was named player of the match in a goalless game.
• 15. The chance that got away, In the 87th minute of the 2026 game, Reece James crossed, O’Reilly’s header crashed off the crossbar, and Kane blazed the rebound over.
  England’s golden moment, gone in two seconds.
• 16. Ghana’s almost-winner, Minutes earlier, Abdul Fatawu raced through on goal, only for Ezri Konsa’s recovery tackle and a goal-line block by team-mate Antoine Semenyo to deny him.
  Ghana came within inches of a historic victory.

Rule to remember: nobody has ever won Ghana vs England, 1-1 in 2011, 0-0 in 2026, perfectly level after fifteen years. If they meet a third time, expect another knife-edge game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ghana vs England head-to-head record?

Two meetings, two draws: 1-1 in a 2011 friendly at Wembley and 0-0 at the 2026 World Cup. Neither side has ever beaten the other.

Who scored in England 1-1 Ghana in 2011?

Andy Carroll gave England a 43rd-minute lead in his second cap; Asamoah Gyan equalised in the 91st minute with a brilliant solo goal.

What happened in England vs Ghana at the 2026 World Cup?

A 0-0 draw in Group L at Foxborough on 23 June 2026. England dominated possession but Harry Kane missed a late sitter; Ghana nearly won it through Abdul Fatawu.

Has England ever lost to an African team at the World Cup?

No. England are unbeaten in 9 World Cup games against African nations, 5 wins and 4 draws, including the 2026 stalemate with Ghana.

When is the next Ghana vs England game?

No future meeting is scheduled as of October 2026. With both sides regularly qualifying for major tournaments, a third encounter is only a matter of time.

Where was the 2026 World Cup game played?

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (billed as Boston Stadium), on 23 June 2026, in front of a large Ghanaian contingent.

Final thoughts

Ghana vs England is international football’s most perfectly balanced fixture: two games, two draws, one goal apiece, fifteen years apart. Ghana keep frustrating the Three Lions; England keep their unbeaten record against African nations intact. Next time they meet, something has to give. For more head-to-head histories, read our Iraq vs France, our Bosnia vs Italy, and our España vs Francia guides.