Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has described England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the strongest possible selections available to the Three Lions, ahead of their meeting with Ghana in the group stage of the tournament.
The former Chelsea F.C. midfielder made the comments while speaking to SkySports as anticipation builds for the Group L encounter scheduled for 23 June.
Essien, who spent almost a decade playing in England and made more than 250 appearances for Chelsea, said the squad assembled by England manager Thomas Tuchel reflected the country’s depth of talent.
“On a serious note, I think they have assembled the best players they could to represent the country,” Essien said. “So yeah, it’s going to be an exciting one. We just have to sit back and enjoy the show.”
England are widely regarded as one of the favourites for the tournament, and Essien’s assessment carries significance given his extensive experience in English football and his years competing against some of the country’s leading players during his career.
The former Real Madrid CF midfielder, however, made it clear that despite his admiration for England’s squad, his support would remain firmly with Ghana.
“I hope Ghana beat them,” he added with a smile.
The Black Stars are set to face England in their second Group L fixture after beginning their campaign against Panama on 17 June. Ghana will then conclude the group stage with a match against Croatia on 27 June.
For Essien, the upcoming clash represents more than just another World Cup fixture. Having built much of his club career in England, the former midfielder has close ties to the country’s football culture and remains familiar with the standards expected of the national side.
His comments also underline the scale of the challenge awaiting Ghana as they prepare to face one of the tournament’s most highly rated teams.
Despite acknowledging England’s strength, Essien appeared optimistic that Ghana could still produce an upset when the sides meet later in the competition.
The former midfielder’s remarks are likely to add further intrigue to one of the standout matches in Ghana’s group-stage schedule, with supporters already looking ahead to a contest between the four-time African champions and one of Europe’s leading football nations.
England’s squad depth and quality have drawn widespread attention ahead of the tournament, but Ghana will hope to defy expectations and advance from a World Cup group that also includes Panama and Croatia.
Essien, meanwhile, will be among those watching closely to see whether the Black Stars can overcome the odds and secure a memorable result against the Three Lions.
