Ghana operates as an individual-led, direct attacking side. The team relies heavily on key contributors like Jordan Ayew to generate scoring opportunities. Their tactical approach favors quick transitions over sustained possession, which may challenge opponents who struggle to manage high-intensity defensive pressure.

Playing identity · system ↔ individual × direct ↔ possession

Ghana is plotted from possession share and top-scorer concentration. PPDA and recent form are supporting context when present.

+Recent form8 · 4W 2D 2L

2026-07-04World Cup 2026AGHA 0-1 COLL

2026-06-27World Cup 2026AGHA 1-2 CROL

2026-06-23World Cup 2026AGHA 0-0 ENGD

2026-06-17World Cup 2026HGHA 1-0 PANW

2025-10-12World Cup 2026 qualifying · CAFHGHA 1-0 COMW

2025-10-08World Cup 2026 qualifying · CAFAGHA 5-0 CTAW

2025-09-08World Cup 2026 qualifying · CAFHGHA 1-0 MLIW

2025-09-04World Cup 2026 qualifying · CAFAGHA 1-1 CHAD

International friendly matches are excluded

N2 · Scoring

open play 93%

How they score

Ghana relies heavily on open play to generate their scoring opportunities. With over 93% of their classified goals originating from open play, the team demonstrates a clear preference for fluid attacking transitions over set-piece reliance.

Goal source · share of play-type-classified goals

93.1%

Open play93.1%Free kick6.9%

7% set piececorner + free kick

Effectiveness · conversion by source vs benchmark

Set piece22%avg 4.5%+18 pts

2 goals from 9 shots.

benchmark average higher than field by 3+ pts lower than field by 3+ pts

Goal-source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values; own goals are excluded.

+Top scorers · still a threat?57% intact

57% of listed scorer goals come from players still marked in the squad.

Jordan Ayew	in squad	9 · 27%
Mohammed Kudus	out	6 · 18%
Alexander Djiku	out	3 · 9%
Thomas Partey	in squad	3 · 9%

N3 · Conceding

open play 94%

How they concede

Ghana is highly susceptible to conceding through open play, which accounts for 94% of their classified goals against. Opponents may find success by prioritizing fluid transitions and high-volume shooting, as Ghana has shown a high conversion rate allowed against them in open-play scenarios. This vulnerability suggests that disciplined defensive structure during active play is essential to limiting their exposure.

Conceded goal source · share of play-type-classified goals

94.1%

Open play94.1%Free kick5.9%

6% set piece concededcorner + free kick

Effectiveness · conceded conversion by source vs benchmark

Open play62%avg 20%+42 pts

16 conceded from 26 shots faced.

Set piece9.1%avg 4.5%+5 pts

1 conceded from 11 shots faced.

benchmark average lower than field by 3+ pts higher than field by 3+ pts

Conceded source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values.

N4 · Big moments

falls short · -0.53 GD residual

Better than their rating?

Ghana consistently underperforms relative to their Elo-based expectations. With a -0.53 goal difference residual, the team struggles to bridge the gap against higher-rated opponents. While their performance is more stable than the field median, they frequently fail to meet the statistical benchmarks set by their current rating.

Over-performance DNA · beats-its-rating × reliability, the tournament field

GHATournament field · 48solid line = rating-neutral · dashed = field-median reliability100 Elo ~= -0.37 goals

+Biggest over- & under-performances20 matches

Residual = actual goal difference minus what the Elo gap predicted.

vs CTA · 2025-10-08	GD +5 vs exp +2.20	+2.80
vs CHA · 2025-03-21	GD +5 vs exp +2.64	+2.36
vs MAD · 2025-03-24	GD +3 vs exp +2.19	+0.81
vs COM · 2023-11-21	GD -1 vs exp +2.34	-3.34
vs CHA · 2025-09-04	GD 0 vs exp +2.64	-2.64
vs CPV · 2024-01-14	GD -1 vs exp +1.48	-2.48