Africa Arising at FIFA World Cup 2026

Ghana scored a last minute goal to beat Panama 1-0 in the cold rain of Toronto as teams from Africa continued to surprise opponents in the first round of the FIFA World Cup.

In other results, Cape Verde stunned the football world by drawing with Spain. Morocco tied Brazil 1-1. Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0. Egypt drew Belgium 1-1. DR Congo drew Portugal 1-1.

With six minutes added onto a game with few scoring chances, Ghana’s Brandon Thomas-Asante looped around midfield, raced into open space down the left and found Caleb Yirenkyi, who scored into an open net at the 95-minute mark to win the game for the four-time African champions.

Ghana fans, who danced all game in the stadium, took over Sankofa Square (formerly called Dundas Square) in downtown Toronto, partying late into the night despite a thunderstorm.

While city officials hoped the World Cup would attract tourists, the Canadian federal government reportedly denied more than 1000 visitor visa applications from Ghana. Many Ghana fans at the game said they lived in Toronto along with about 50,000 others from Ghana.

Meanwhile, Canada is home to more than 10,000 people from Ivory Coast; another 10,000 from Senegal; about 100,000 from Iraq, and about 250,000 people of Croatian descent. All teams are playing opening round matches in Toronto.

Ghana will play England in Boston next Tuesday, while Panama will face Croatia in Toronto on Wednesday night June 23. Senegal will play Iraq on June 26 in Toronto.