It’s been raining in Boston ahead of England’s clash with Ghana but that is not deterring Anthony Gordon.
He said: “They favour me definitely. I haven’t got the skin to deal with the heat. I’m happy about the weather. I think that’s a big advantage for us.
“The heat is something we’re not used to, so we need to use that to our advantage.”
Mike Jones23 June 2026 20:35
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
Richard Jolly23 June 2026 20:30
Fewer England fans, familiar weather
Here’s The Independent’s Senior Football Correspondent, Richard Jolly, reporting from the Boston Stadium ahead of kick off:
Boston had its tartan takeover and, without going everywhere in the city, it felt as though there were rather fewer England fans there in the last 24 hours.
“Although Boston has at least had English weather, with rain in Massachusetts.
“Which may help England play at Premier League pace, given the conditions are altogether more familiar.”
Richard Jolly at Boston Stadium23 June 2026 20:28
Thomas Tuchel explains double change for England against Ghana
“They [Guehi and Spence deserve to play,” Tuchel told ITV Sport. “A little bit more speed, a bit more profile, faster than John, more convenient to play on the left side than John.
“Djed, faster, to control the counter-attacks. It’s a big part, they are happy to give up possession, they want us to fall asleep and feel safe, very fast and physical players.
“Very direct play, not shy to use long balls. I think we will have a lot of duels on the full-back to use the position, use the coverage, be aggressive to stop the counter-attacks.”
Jack Rathborn23 June 2026 20:26
Will history repeat itself for Queiroz?
Current Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz’s heaviest defeat as a head coach at the World Cup was against England in the 2022 group stages – his Iran side lost 6-2.
Mike Jones23 June 2026 20:22
Harry Kane has netted five goals across his five international appearances against African nations, with three coming at the World Cup, against Tunisia in 2018 (x2) and Senegal in 2022.
If he scores in this game, he would overtake Gary Lineker (10) to become Engand’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
(PA)
Mike Jones23 June 2026 20:15
After winning their opener 4-2 against Croatia, England will be looking to win each of their opening two games at a World Cup for the fourth time, after completing the feat in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
Can they secure a place in the last-32 tonight?
Mike Jones23 June 2026 20:10
Can Ghana reach the knockout rounds?
Ghana have only won two of their group stage matches at the World Cup once before, beating Czechia and USA in 2006.
They have failed to win any of their last four matches against European opposition in the competition, losing their last game 2-3 against Portugal in 2022.
Beating England tonight would also send Ghana into the knockout rounds with a game remaining in the groups.
Mike Jones23 June 2026 20:05
Fifa quietly scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand turned the cover-up into a marketing campaign
There is a physical perimeter around every stadium at this World Cup and once you pass through, there are rules. Welcome to Fifa-Land. No large banners. No political imagery of any kind. No offensive symbols. No commercial material. No inflatables. No musical instruments taller than 12cm. No binoculars. No significant quantities of paper, which is left open to interpretation. No frisbees. No detonators, which is reassuring.
Lawrence Ostlere in Houston23 June 2026 20:00
It’s been raining for most of the day in Boston so conditions will be familiar to England.
The fans have been enjoying themselves nonetheless and are prepared for kick off in just over an hour’s time.
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Mike Jones23 June 2026 19:55