Japan vs Ghana: A Friendly Face-Off with World Cup Implications
Japan will host Ghana in a friendly at Toyota. Both teams have already secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, making this an intriguing encounter with opportunities for experimentation and fine-tuning before the big tournament.
Japan is riding high after a stunning 3-2 victory over Brazil in October, a result that propelled them into the top 20 of the world rankings. However, their form in other friendlies has been inconsistent, with a loss to the USA and draws against Mexico and Paraguay.
Ghana, on the other hand, arrives in Japan with a five-game unbeaten streak and three consecutive clean sheets. However, those victories came against Comoros, Central African Republic, and Mali – opponents not as strong as Japan. A key issue for Ghana's coach, Otto Addo, is player availability.
Ghana's New Striker: Prince Osei Owusu
Adding excitement to the Ghanaian squad is the inclusion of Prince Osei Owusu. The German-born striker, who plays for CF Montréal in Major League Soccer, has earned his first call-up to the Black Stars after a stellar season. With 13 goals and 3 assists, Osei Owusu brings a fresh attacking dimension to the team. His decision to represent Ghana, despite previously playing for Germany at youth level, adds depth and competition to the forward line.
Prediction
Given Japan's recent form and home advantage, they are the favourites. However, Ghana's unbeaten streak and the injection of new talent like Osei Owusu could make this a competitive match. Expect Japan to edge it, but Ghana could find the net.
- Score Prediction: Japan 3-1 Ghana
- Goalscorers Prediction: Japan: Ueda x2, Minamino – Ghana: Semenyo
This friendly provides a valuable opportunity for both teams to test their strategies and player combinations as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.