Ghana vs. Panama: World Cup energy set to light up Toronto

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The first of the men’s World Cup games in Toronto was always going to be about the patriotic side for the home crowd and helping to will Canada to a strong start in this, the most important tournament of the men’s program in this country.

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The next match will be all about the spectacle as Toronto plays host to its second of six World Cup dates, each of them figuring to be unique, each of them with a different mix of passionate supporter groups.

There isn’t a tournament quite like the World Cup, where thousands of fans from all over the globe gather in cities to see their nations compete, often in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not even a week in, we have seen the celebrations in the streets and stadiums throughout the 16 venues spread over three countries.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Leave it to the elegant description of Ghanian coach Carlos Queiroz, one of the most travelled figures in the game, when asked about the boisterous reception his team received upon their arrival at its downtown Toronto hotel on Monday.

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“It is amazing, when these moments happen,” the 73-year-old Portuguese soccer lifer said at his pre-match news conference Tuesday at Toronto Stadium. “We know the size of the mountain in front of us. We need the (12th man).

“I hope that during the game, the drums of Ghana will be pounding for 90 minutes and (mirror) the beat of our heart.”

The soundtrack of those drums wielded by Black Stars supporters will be prominent on the streets of Toronto hours before the 7 p.m. kickoff and inside the stadium as well. That beat will battle with the carnival-style embrace of those backing the Red Wave of Panama.

An African team vs. a Central American one may not top the charts in terms of serious contenders at this World Cup, but they will take a back seat to few in terms of their verve for the experience of backing their nation.

We saw a taste of that passion in the Toronto opener, with the pro-Canadian contingent and a compact yet boisterous group of Bosnian supporters to complete the atmosphere.

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On Wednesday, it figures to be equally electric but given the participants, more exotic.

“When we hear our anthem and see all the Panamanians it’s going to be even more emotional for us,” said coach Thomas Christiansen, who has guided the Panamanians since 2020. “It’s something that’s going to be contagious and take us to the highest level.

“(The stadium) is going to be at least half full of Panamanians and that fills us with pride. We’re going to be feeling that close to our hearts.”

Can Ghana be a Group L sleeper?

The leadership of Queiroz could be the ultimate wild card for Ghana as the 73-year-old makes a fifth consecutive appearance as a World Cup coach and with his third team (Portugal in 2010, followed by Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022.)

This one almost didn’t happen until Ghana fired Otto Addo after a stretch of lacklustre friendlies and Queiroz swooped in as an experienced veteran tasked with making a quick fix.

“Players ultimately need to know they have my full trust and they also have to trust the plan,” Queiroz said. “I am pleased. The team has responded very well. They are very cohesive. They are very well-adjusted.”

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It would still be an upset for Ghana to move on. England, ranked fourth by FIFA in the final pre-Cup listings, is favoured, followed by Croatia (11th), Panama (34) and Ghana (73).

Need to know

Group L is the final of the 12 groups to get underway in this expanded World Cup. By the time this one is finished down by Lake Ontario, Canada will be less than 24 hours away from its second match, a Thursday date against Qatar in Vancouver … Ghana, which is making its fifth World Cup appearance, has been a giant-killer in the past, making it to the quarterfinals in 2010 … Panama, benefitting from free host passes awarded to Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, cruised through CONCACAF qualifying … In its most recent tune-up match, Panama played Bosnia and Herzegovina to a 1-1 draw.

Canada’s “other” World Cup team

Panama is unofficially Canada’s other team at this World Cup, the only other nation to be have its base camp north of the border.

With their first two matches at Toronto Stadium, the Panamanians settled in at the Nottawasaga Resort in Alliston, Ont., a facility that has played host to visiting international teams in the past.

The time has certainly allowed them to acclimatize to life in Ontario, where they will remain through next Tuesday’s match against Croatia.

“We have had great experiences,” Christiansen said. “We have had time to practice our tactical and technical components, and I feel like (the players) are going to be ready for the match.”

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