World Cup 2026: Colombia vs Ghana Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Colombia face Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the early hours of Saturday morning, with kickoff at 03:30 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. Nestor Lorenzo's side arrive as Group K winners after going unbeaten, while Ghana squeezed through as one of the best third placed teams and reached the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Colombia

Colombia topped Group K without losing, beating Uzbekistan 3 to 1, edging DR Congo 1 to 0 and holding Portugal to a goalless draw, so in my opinion they arrive with real momentum and a settled defence. James Rodriguez is pulling the strings from the number ten role and Luis Diaz gives them a genuine match winner out wide, while Daniel Munoz has chipped in with two goals from right back. I have no fresh injury concerns in the Colombia camp, and I expect Lorenzo to keep faith with the shape that produced two clean sheets in three group games. My read on this is that this is a side that defends well and carries more than enough quality to break Ghana down.

Predicted Lineup: Vargas; Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez.

Ghana

Ghana reached the Round of 32 the hard way, finishing third in Group L with four points after a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final game, and this is their first World Cup knockout appearance since 2010. Thomas Partey anchors the midfield and his form is central to how they cope with Colombia's runners, while Antoine Semenyo and Kamaldeen Sulemana give them the pace to counter. In my opinion Ghana will sit deeper and look to hit Colombia on the break rather than try to dominate possession. I am not convinced they carry enough control in the middle to keep the likes of Rodriguez quiet for ninety minutes.

Predicted Lineup: Asare; Mensah, Opoku, Senaya, Yirenkyi; Ayew, Partey, Sibu, Semenyo; Williams, Sulemana.

Colombia have the better balance, the sharper attacking talent and a defence that has already shown it can shut teams out, so I expect them to control this tie and take their chances. Ghana will make life awkward for a spell and try to release Semenyo and Sulemana on the counter, but I do not see them scoring against a back line marshalled by Davinson Sanchez. My read on this is a composed Colombia win to nil. My forecast: Colombia 2 Ghana 0.

Under 2.5 Goals (1.65)

I am backing under 2.5 goals and my read on this is that Colombia will manage this tie rather than chase a hatful of goals. They kept two clean sheets in the group and will be content to score once or twice and see the game out, while Ghana have shown limited ability to open up strong defences. With a cagey knockout feel to the fixture, I expect the goals total to stay low.