The penultimate game of matchday one at World Cup 2026 has implications for England, as Ghana and Panama go head-to-head in Group L. Given these are the two underdogs in this section, their clash in Toronto is huge for both teams.Will Ghana get the job done ahead of their tussle with England next week? Or will Panama register their first ever victory at a World Cup?Draw – 9/4 BetVictorUnder 2.5 goals – 4/6 with 247BetAntoine Semenyo to score any time – 21/10 with BetMGMGhana vs Panama head to head overviewDate: Thursday 18th June.Kick-off: 12am.Venue: Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada.Where to watch: ITV1 and ITVX.Referee: Glenn Nyberg.VAR: Yes.Last meeting: Never played before.Favourite to win: Ghana.Ghana vs Panama predicted lineupsGhana expected lineup: Ati-Zigi; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Owusu, Yirenkyi, Nuamah, Boakye, Semenyo; Ayew.Panama expected lineup: Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Godoy, Harvey, Davis; Rodriguez, Diaz, Fajardo.Ghana vs Panama predictionsTo say that Ghana’s preparations for World Cup 2026 have been less than ideal would be an understatement.In a perfect world, the Black Stars would have built up for this tournament by performing well at the last Africa Cup of Nations, winning a few friendly games ahead of the big kick-off, and arriving in North America with a settled squad that the manager knows inside out.That has not been Ghana’s experience. They did not even qualify for the 24-team Africa Cup of Nations that took place in the winter.A run of poor results in friendlies earlier this year saw Ghana sack Otto Addo and hire Carlos Queiroz, who has only had two months to work with the team.On top of all that, Ghana have only played one warm-up friendly, a 1-1 draw with Wales.They tried to organise another, considering games against Jamaica and Honduras, but in the end nothing was sorted. That does not reflect well on the Ghana Football Association.The hope is that everything will fall into place once the action gets under way, but the mood back in Ghana is mostly pessimistic.Panama are back at the World Cup after missing out on Qatar 2022. Several players from their 2018 campaign are still around, with the core of this squad having been together for years.We will have to see whether that is an advantage or a disadvantage, but with two-thirds of the third-place finishers set to go through to the knockout phase, Panama will feel they have a chance.So too will Ghana. But with matches against England and Croatia to come, a defeat here for either side would leave them in a very difficult position, even after just one game.Ghana vs Panama betting tipsGhana face Panama as we approach the end of matchday one at World Cup 2026.Honours even in Canada?Ghana start as favourites to win on Thursday (BST), but we like Panama’s chances of getting something from the game.A win could be beyond them. Panama are well organised without the ball and they defend with discipline, but there are question marks over where exactly the goals will come from.Panama carry a threat from set-pieces, but they will struggle to create clear-cut chances from open play.However, Ghana are not in great shape. Their defence can be exploited, there is little depth in midfield, and Queiroz’s teams are not exactly known for their invention in attack.A draw would not be a great result for either team, yet Ghana and Panama may have to settle for a point apiece anyway. Back a draw at 9/4 with BetVictor Goals will not flow freelyOf the 24 fixtures that make up matchday one of the group stage, this is unlikely to be one that thrills the neutrals.Ghana and Panama are two of the weaker sides at this World Cup, and the fact that a defeat would leave either team with a mountain to climb encourages them to approach the match with caution.Ghana have scored one or zero goals in each of their last eight matches. Panama have looked brighter in forward areas of late, but a lack of individual quality in attack will hold them back.All things considered, this looks set to be a game without multiple goals. Tip under 2.5 goals at 4/6 with 247Bet Will Semenyo step up?Ghana must be glad that Antoine Semenyo was a late bloomer. They secured his international allegiance in 2022, when the forward was playing for Bristol City in the Championship.Had Semenyo taken a less circuitous route to the top, he would surely be playing for England – the country of his birth – this summer.In truth, Semenyo has yet to dazzle for Ghana. He has scored just three goals in 34 caps, with only one of those strikes coming in the last three years.Still, Semenyo is a difference-maker and Ghana will need him to be at his best if they are to do anything at this World Cup. Go for Antoine Semenyo to score any time at 21/10 with BetMGM Ghana vs Panama latest oddsFind the latest Ghana vs Panama betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.More World Cup 2026 predictionsWe have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.Important historical facts about Ghana and Panama for bettingPanama have never won a World Cup match before. Ghana head into the tournament on a seven-game winless streak. Panama have scored in 11 of their last 12 international fixtures.World Cup 2026: More from talkSPORTWorld Cup 2026 Betting offersWorld Cup 2026 Betting tips and predictionsWorld Cup 2026 AI predictionsWorld Cup 2026 Betting guideWorld Cup 2026 Top goalscorer oddsEngland to win World Cup 2026 oddsWorld Cup 2026: Best young player oddsAbout the authorGreg LeaGreg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootballCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.