Why England's opponents have sacked their manager 72 days before 2026 World Cup

Ghana have sacked their coach Otto Addo - just 72 days before the start of the World Cup. The Black Stars are England’s second Group opponents on June 23 but Ghana wielded the axe after a run of four straight defeats.

It also comes after Ghana failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations despite having star names like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus. Ghana lost 2-1 to Germany in Stuttgart just days after being thrashed 4-1 by Austria last Friday night and four straight defeats signalled the end of Addo’s second spell in charge.

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Addo, 50, led Ghana to the last World Cup and was re-appointed in March 2024 but lost nine of his 22 games in charge.

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There had been a big fan backlash and Addo was sacked just hours after the Germany defeat - despite the home side needing an 88th minute winner from Deniz Undav to secure victory. Ghana had also lost to Japan and South Korea in November.

A Ghana FA statement read: “The Ghana Football Association will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course."

Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on 18 June before facing England in Boston. They end the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27, with Ghana FA bosses targeting a place in the knockout stages this summer.