Soccer-Croatia drop Gvardiol, Ghana recall Sulemana


Jun 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana (22) dribbles the ball against Panama during a Group L match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

PHILADELPHIA, June 27 (Reuters) - ⁠Croatia dropped Josko Gvardiol in one of three ⁠changes for Saturday's final World Cup Group ‌L match against Ghana, who also made three switches, leaving out forward Inaki Williams.

• Ghana have booked their place in the ​next round and coach Carlos Queiroz ⁠brings Kamaldeen Sulemana ⁠into the attack for the game in Philadelphia, with ⁠Derrick Luckassen ‌coming into the defence in place of Jerome Opoku.

• A win for Croatia ⁠would guarantee their place in the knockout rounds.

• ​Croatia coach ‌Zlatko Dalic gives starts to Ante Budimir and ⁠Nikola Vlasic ​for the first time in this World Cup, and forward Petar Sucic gets a recall.

• Manchester City's Gvardiol ⁠is on the bench for ​Croatia after starting the first two games.

• England are assured of a spot in the round of 32 ⁠and face eliminated Panama in the other Group L match.

Lineups:

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Ante Budimir, Nikola Vlasic, ​Ivan Perisic, Martin Baturina, Petar ⁠Sucic

Ghana: Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, ​Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Gideon ‌Mensah, Elisha Owusu, Kamaldeen Sulemana, ​Derrick Luckassen, Marvin Senaya

(Reporting by Martin Petty in Santa Clara, California, editing by Ed Osmond)

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