Bristol City will have representation at the World Cup in Qatar when Ghana take on Portugal for their Group H opener in Doha with Antoine Semenyo set to feature for the Black Stars.
The City academy product is unlikely to be starting but has earned four caps since making his debut in June and is a promising option off the bench for Otto Addo as they look to make a positive start in what is a tough group.
Portugal are the obvious heavyweights with superstar presence and talent throughout their team and squad but the saga around Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United future and noise surrounding his ill-timed interview has proved an unwanted distraction.
That being said, Ghana will need a strong performance to get anything out of the game as they look to improve on their last performance at a World Cup, where they recorded just a solitary draw in the group at the 2014 tournament, which also included a 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
When and where?
Ghana’s game kicks off at 4pm (UK time) at the 44,089-capacity Stadium 974 in Doha, which hosted the 0-0 draw between Mexico and Poland on Tuesday. It is the first temporary venue in World Cup history having been constructed from 974 shipping containers.
How to watch?
The match is being broadcast on ITV, with their coverage beginning from 3pm. It is also available to stream via ITVX.
Form guide and head-to-head record
Portugal - W L W L W
Ghana - W W L L W
The teams have met once before, at World Cup 2014 where Portugal won 2-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an 80th minute winner.
Team news and predicted line-up
Cristiano Ronaldo had been struggling with illness but has since declared himself fit to start. Left-back Nuno Mendes is the only real doubt for the Portuguese as the PSG defender has a muscle injury but is expected to return for the Uruguay game should he miss out against Ghana. Black Stars coach Otto Addo, meanwhile, has a fully fit squad to choose from. Semenyo is likely to be on the bench.
Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro; Ruben Neves, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao
Ghana XI (4-2-3-1): Lawrence Ati Zigi; Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Gideon Mensah; Thomas Partey, Salis Abdul Samed; Andre Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew; Inaki Williams
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