England played to a goalless draw against Ghana on Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. This result leaves them needing a victory against Panama on Saturday to secure the top spot in Group L. Harry Kane, who scored twice against Croatia in the opening match, found it challenging to impact the game against a resilient Ghana defense. Ghana now sits level on points with the Three Lions heading into the final round of fixtures. Kane, England's leading goalscorer, missed a significant opportunity from close range during the second half.

Historically, Kane has performed well against Panama, notably scoring a hat-trick in England's 6-1 win during the 2018 World Cup. Coach Thomas Tuchel expressed confidence in Kane's ability and his willingness to take responsibility, while also highlighting that the team does not solely depend on him for goals.