FOXBOROUGH — England brought its supporters, its celebrities, and its weather to Foxborough. Ghana brought its defense.
England dominated the seating bowl on a cool, rainy day, with the stands bathed in England white and British celebs such as David Beckham and the band Mumford & Sons looking on.
And a superior England squad, No. 4 in the FIFA world rankings, dominated the match, holding the ball for 79 percent of the time and out-shooting No. 73 Ghana, 18-2.
But it was the Ghanaian fans dancing and celebrating at the final whistle.
See how the day unfolded with updates from the Globe staff.
Boston World Cup: England 0, Ghana 0
A massive edge in shot attempts proves fruitless for England — 6:30 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
England boasted an 18-2 advantage for shots attepted, but couldn’t find a way through. Sure, the Three Lions controlled the tempo, but did little to threaten, aside from Nico O’Reilly’s header off the bar, followed by Harry Kane’s volley over the bar and into the stands.
Ghana has not conceded through two games in this World Cup, shutting out Panama, 1-0, in the Black Stars’ opener.
England and Ghana end in a scoreless draw — 6:04 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
Full-time here in Foxborough, where it’s finished 0-0 between England and Ghana. The English had the lion’s share of the possession throughout the afternoon, but only really threatened in the final 20 minutes or so and never really put their stamp on the game. The Ghanaians might have some gripes about the refereeing, as they very well could have had a penalty (and a red card against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford), but they’re clearly the happier of the two teams with the result.
A golden chance for England blasted over the bar — 5:52 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
Two of the biggest chances of the game for England: Bukayo Saka cut inside and forced a very good save from Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asara before Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the crossbar, rebounded out to Harry Kane, and England’s star striker blasted his volley high over the bar and into the England fans. It’s still 0-0 in the 87th minute, and the English are running out of time to get the winner here.
Weather no match for fans’ jubilant mood — 5:50 p.m.
By Marianne Mizera, Globe Staff
In typical New England fashion, the weather is not cooperating for today’s match.
Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan asked England and Ghana fans what they think of all this dreary, drizzly weather. And one thing’s clear: Despite the dour conditions, their World Cup outlook seems upbeat.
A huge chance for Ghana doesn’t go — 5:45 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
Prince Adu was in on goal after Abdul Fatawu dispossessed Eberechi Eze. Adu was caught from behind by a flying Ezri Konsa, and Adu’s chance hit Ghana teammate Antoine Semenyo. The offsides flag later went up.
England makes substitutions, chasing the first goal — 5:40 p.m.
By Amin Touri and Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
Some attacking substitutions from England as manager Thomas Tuchel chases an opening goal: Bukayo Saka, typically England’s starting right winger who is managing an Achilles issue, is on to replace Anthony Gordon. Tuchel has also brought on attacking midfielders Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers for Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson. Nico O’Reilly entered for Djed Spence at left back.
England may not need a win today — a draw against Ghana and a win over Panama on Saturday would likely be enough to win the group — but a victory would just about seal the Three Lions’ place atop Group L.
At the second-half hydration break, it’s still scoreless between England and Ghana — 5:35 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
The biggest moment of the game came just before the break when Ghana’s Prince Adu was in behind, 1-on-1 with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and the two collided just outside the England penalty area. Neither got the ball, and the referee awarded a free kick in England’s favor, but that could’ve been a red card for Pickford if the referee had taken a different view of the incident.
The first save of the match has been made — 5:21 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
This England-Ghana match was the first of the 2026 World Cup to not feature a save made by either goaltender in the first half of action. In the 57th minute, Ghana goaltender Benjamin Asare grabbed England winger Anthony Gordon’s try from inside the box for the game’s first stop.
The second half is underway — 5:08 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
No substitutions were made at the half. We’re back in action in Foxborough.
For those without tickets, Fan Fest provides a good place to watch the match — 5:00 p.m.
By Audrey Tomlin, Globe Correspondent
Susan Himes, 49, couldn’t buy tickets in time for the England-Ghana match because she planned her excursion last minute.
Instead, Himes, a Cleveland resident who had work in the Boston area, chose to watch the game at FIFA Fan Fest Boston.
“It’s a surprisingly nice display they put on,” she said.
She’s traveling to Seattle tomorrow to watch Qatar face Bosnia & Herzegovina in the World Cup.
“It’s not the most interesting game, but the tickets were a fair price,” she said.
Tickets for Fan Fest are free. Tickets for tomorrow, June 24, are sold out.
England and Ghana end the first half scoreless — 4:52 p.m.
By Cam Kerry, Globe Staff
Despite enjoying 78 percent of the possession, England couldn’t find a way through a swarming backline. Ghana did not have a shot on goal, but keeping a dynamic attacking team like England off the scoresheet is impressive in itself. England’s frustration is beginning to show in the form of late fouls.
At the first-half hydration break, it’s scoreless in Foxborough — 4:25 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
England has dominated the ball with nearly 90 percent possession, but have struggled to fashion too many scoring chances.
At Track 15, bar in downtown Providence, multiple screens showing the match — 4:20 p.m.
By Omar Mohammed, Globe Staff
PROVIDENCE — Visible were Ghanaian fans in their country’s famous gold and black star jerseys.
Ohene K. Asare, 47, was watching the game with his two daughters and his wife. One of his two sons is actually at the game. He lives in Milton.
“Ghana settle,” he kept saying as the game kicked off. “This World Cup has not done for fans to enjoy it. It’s been done to make money,” he said.
His family of six are huge soccer fans. All four of his kids play. One of his sons aspires to be a professional. His wife is Haitian, and they support both countries so going to both countries’s matches is expensive
“We had to pick and choose,” he said.
He is worried about Ghana. They changed their coach right before the tournament.
He is hoping for a 2-2 draw but in all his other scenarios Ghana are going to lose.
“This is the weakest Ghana team I have seen in twenty years,” he said. “The only way I see Ghana win is if they hold defensively and score one-nil.”
This match also has the subtext of colonial history as England colonized Ghana.
“There is a deep respect between these two countries, but there is so much unpleasant history as well. I hope football can help build a better relationship,” he said. “If we are going to play fairly on the pitch, let’s also play fairly economically.”
At Fan Fest, most dressed for rain — 4:10 p.m.
By Audrey Tomlin, Globe Correspondent
Fans are dressed in rain jackets and carrying umbrellas in anticipation of the rainy weather at the FIFA Fan Festival. Still, many fans are dressed in everyday clothing: t-shirts, leggings, jeans, shorts, baseball caps, a few hoodies.
So far, when it has drizzled, some fans have hovered under the awnings and tents. Most, though, have stay exposed, crowding the open area in front of the screen.
In Foxborough, we’ve got a full house — 4:00 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
It’s another packed house in Foxborough despite a windy, drizzly afternoon. It’s probably the biggest crowd split we’ve had so far — I’d estimate it’s 70 percent English fans in here. The Ghanaians are hard to miss, though, with their bright yellow shirts and all the noise they’re making already.
What’s the vibe like at Boston Stadium? — 3:30 p.m.
By Amin Touri, Globe Staff
Certainly a much more muted atmosphere here in Foxborough than the three games previous.
Whether it’s because of the weather (68 degrees and a light drizzle with 30 minutes before kickoff) or the lack of the Scots, it’s not quite the party on the concourse that the previous contests have brought.
Fans are just milling about casually without the singing, chanting, and intermingling that marked the buildup to the first three games.
Two friends from Ghana came all the way to Boston to watch — 3:25 p.m.
By Jane Miller, Globe Correspondent
Maimuna Findley and Tracy Adjej went to high school in Accra, Ghana. They now attend college in New York City and Washington, D.C., respectively, and met in Boston on Tuesday morning to watch their country play at the Fan Fest outside City Hall.
“We came all the way here, just hoping Ghana does really well,” said Adjej.
“We were like, the game is in Boston,” said Findley, “why not come to the Fan Fest in Boston to watch it?”
Adjej and Findley always try to support Ghana when they’re playing in the World Cup.
“They think they’re going to win,” said Adjej, of the English fans.
If Ghana wins?
“We’re going to be over the moon,” Adjej said.
What if a thunderstorm breaks out in Foxborough? — 3:10 p.m.
By Ken Mahan, Globe Staff
The chances of seeing a thunderstorm during the match are fairly low, but if lightning does occur, the game will be delayed. FIFA enforces a mandatory 30-minute weather delay and evacuation for matches if lightning strikes within an 8-mile radius of the stadium.
On Monday, the Group I match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia was suspended for just over two hours at halftime due to a severe thunderstorm. Any subsequent lightning strikes inside that 8-mile radius resets the 30-minute timer.
For fans, it’s important to listen to any alerts from the stadium and to evacuate and go indoors when told to do so. In Philadelphia, scoreboard messages directed the crowd to take shelter in the stadium’s covered areas, warning that a severe storm was on the way. Don’t hang around outside. Ride out the delay in the concourse with a drink or some food if you can and soon enough you’ll be back cheering on your team.
Right now, the forecast is calling for mostly scattered showers and steady rain for the afternoon and early evening.
A bit of banter by English fans, for their Scottish counterparts — 3:00 p.m.
By Jane Miller, Globe Correspondent
Carol Helm, 58, and her financé, Michael Gudge, 65, sit on a bench towards the front of the Boston FIFA Fan Fest as they await the start of the England and Ghana World Cup. match. They are visiting from Banbury, England and have been staying with family since mid-June. During their stay, they witnessed the Tartan Amry’s takeover.
“They know bagpipes,” Gudge said. “But the English are better singers than them.”
Gudge pondered for a moment, and added that the English are better at “swearing” as well.
On the topic of whether Scotland or England drink more beer, Helm and Gudge disagreed.
“Probably the Scottish,” Helm said.
“What are you doing!” Gudge retaliated. “We do!”
Gudge ultimately admitted that the rivalry, is “all good fun.”“
Just a bit of banter,” Gudge said.
Fan Fest fever builds — 1:45 p.m.
By Aayushi Datta, Globe Correspondent
At Fan Fest, the anticipation for the England-Ghana match pulses through the crowd on a rainy afternoon as fans gather, wearing flags and jerseys of respective teams, hours prior to the match.
Ross Dearden, 41, originally from England and now based in Los Angeles, has been traveling across the United States following England’s World Cup campaign.
“We just love football,” Dearden said.
He said he could not secure match tickets due to high prices, missing both initial and resale sales, but is joining fan areas with family and friends.
“Excited for more England fans to come in a couple of hours,” he said.
Fans gather for Fan Fest despite drizzle — 1:10 p.m.
By Audrey Tomlin, Globe Correspondent
Few soccer fans are rallying in front of the stage at FIFA Fan Fest ahead of the Portugal-Uzbekistan match on Tuesday afternoon. Still, the lines for drinks and fan bands are overflowing, as fans mill about searching for food and merchandise. Cooling devices blast cold air and a spritz of water despite the light drizzle.
Nedalve Dublin Brown, 18, has been working various catering jobs at Fan Fest. Right now, she’s working a drink stand in the food court. She said that yesterday and today have been slower, but “everyone’s still here, alive.”
“I’ve met a lot of new people. It’s just really beautiful to see all the cultures coming together,” she said. “I’m not really into soccer, but seeing all this makes me want to watch.”
The Dubliner closes for a day after Tartan Army surge — 1:05 p.m.
By Aayushi Datta, Globe Correspondent
After weeks of becoming one of downtown Boston’s busiest hubs for visiting soccer fans, especially the Tartan Army, The Dubliner has decided to take a day off to recover.
In a post shared on Instagram Tuesday, the bar thanked its staff for handling the surge of crowds over the past couple of weeks, as World Cup-related events brought an unusually high volume of visitors into the downtown area. The Dubliner became a central gathering point for Scottish supporters, with fans filling the pub in waves on match days and turning the surrounding streets into a sea of kilts, flags, and chanting.
“We’ve decided to give out staff a day off and are closing today, they’ve worked incredibly hard over the last two weeks and deserve it,” The Dubliner wrote in the caption of the post. “Thankfully there’s nothing happening in Boston today so we will be back tomorrow. #noscotlandnoparty.”
Bring the rain gear. Showers, but low chance of thunderstorms forecast for Foxborough — 11:45 p.m.
By Ken Mahan, Globe Staff
Players and fans headed to the England-Ghana match on Tuesday can expect rather lousy weather in Foxborough later this afternoon and early evening. The weather is going to be pretty consistent during the game, with scattered light to steady rain and a slight chance for a rumble of thunder.
Temperatures will be cooler, around the mid-to-upper 60s during the match, so dressing in layers and sporting a poncho will be the best move to fully enjoy the game without getting soaked and uncomfortable.
“A ton of pride” for Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo —11:35 a.m.
by Omar Mohammed, Globe Staff
PROVIDENCE — For Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo, the World Cup is offering a unique opportunity to connect to different aspects of who he is. Amo’s father hails from Ghana. He is also a first generation American and it just so happens that Ghana’s national team has established their home base camp during the tournament in a state that he represents in Congress.
He has talked with his dad about what this moment means for him as a Rhode Islander with Ghanaian heritage.
“We’ve talked about it as a point of cultural pride,“ he told the Globe in a brief phone interview. ”As a first generation American, in lots of ways it’s an opportunity to tap in to a part of my identity that you know isn’t often the main subject or topic, and gives me a ton of pride.“
It’s something he said that he shares with a lot of different communities during this World Cup.
“That’s a real unifying thing behind all of this ... everybody is finding some level of themselves in these games,” Amo said.
As of today’s Ghana versus England match up, he is all in for the Black Stars, even as for the tournament, he wants Team USA to prevail.
“We’re for Ghana today. We’ll root for the underdog, and we’ll see what happens on the pitch,” he said.
The English are coming, the English are coming! — 11:25 a.m.
By Camilo Fonseca, Globe Staff
Just as it did 251 years ago, the steeple at Boston’s Old North Church warned of an incoming invasion.
On Monday night, the historic church lit its two signal lanterns, the iconic warning used to alert Patriot forces on the eve of the American Revolution.
This time, though, the tongue-in-cheek warning was not about British troops, but rather the rambunctious fans who came across the pond for Tuesday’s England vs. Ghana match.
“Thousands of English soccer fans are coming to Boston to cheer on England in the World Cup tomorrow ... and they’re threatening to outdrink the Scottish fans who just left,” the church wrote on social media. “Let these two lanterns be a warning to Boston’s barkeeps and tavern owners!”
The two lanterns are lit once a year to commemorate Paul Revere’s ride, though the church occasionally lights them for other occasions.
Last week, Old North hung the Scottish flag from the rafters in honor of the Tartan Army, and offered “Free Kilt Friday” to any visitors wearing one.
Travelers are undaunted by the rain and wrapped in flags — 11:15 a.m.
By Aayushi Datta, Globe Correspondent
Fans sported jerseys and draped flags across their shoulders as they filed through South Station. Despite the gray skies and steady drizzle, supporters appeared undeterred. A handful of travelers pulled on clear plastic ponchos offered by station staff, yet most embraced the rain.
Richard Morris, 61, traveled from Minnesota but grew up in South London. He wore a Crystal Palace jersey beneath an England flag as he walked to the platform with his son. Morris said the rainy weather only added to the familiarity of the experience.
“It feels like a London summer or England summer, so we’ll be comfortable,” Morris said.
Having attended the Scotland-Morocco match earlier in the tournament, Morris said he hoped the England and Ghana supporters would bring the same energy he witnessed days before.
“I just want to hear a few more songs and a bit more atmosphere,” he said.
England clearly has the talent to bring the trophy home. Can it finally weather the pressure? — 11:00 a.m.
FOXBOROUGH — Declan Rice is a ways from retirement age, but he’s happy to be collecting Harry Kane stories to relate to the next generation.
“For me, he’s one of those players you’ll be telling the kids about, how you got to play with Harry Kane,” Rice said. “Fortunate to have him as captain — how he leads by example every day in training, it’s no surprise the goals he scores in training and in the England shirt. Very lucky to be playing with him.”
Kane is England’s star. And Rice is among the leaders of the Three Lions’ supporting cast. Rice, 27, has been directing the England midfield since 2019, when he switched from the Republic of Ireland. Rice is set to earn his 75th England cap when the Three Lions meet Ghana in a Group L game at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
“I first came into England, it was always on merit,” Rice said. “I was in good form for West Ham and have managed to play every season at such a consistent level. Playing for England is the biggest privilege in football.”
As an 18-year-old West Ham United midfielder, Rice played his third and final senior international for Ireland in a 2-1 win over the US in Dublin in June 2018. A few months later, Gareth Southgate named him to the England team.
“One of the very best footballers in the world,” said Thomas Tuchel, who took over from Southgate. “You see a humble footballer, ready to be a team player, ready every day to give energy to the group, give quality to the group. And willing to learn every day throughout his career, makes him one of the very best at the moment. I’m proud to be his coach.”
Rice’s consistency, along with set piece threat, helped Arsenal capture the Premier League and reach the Champions League final last season. In England’s World Cup opener, he set up a Kane goal in a 4-2 victory over Croatia, then combined with Elliot Anderson to steady the midfield in the second half.
“That’s been the message from the boss [Tuchel], we have to build on that second half performance,” Rice said during a press conference Monday. “[Ghana] is a real threat and if we’re not 100 percent we can be punished, for sure. Ghana is a team that brings strength, pace and they want to catch us out on the counterattack. We have to be ready. Having played against a lot of their players, we know what to expect.”
Bob Kraft wants to bring the Patriots to Scotland — 10:30 a.m.
By Nicole Yang, Globe Staff
On the heels of the Tartan Army’s takeover in Boston, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has made it known to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the Patriots would be interested in playing a game in Scotland.
Their conversation comes after Scotland played two group stage World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, and injected the city with unrivaled revelry. Over the past week, the ever-amiable Scots, with their kilts, bagpipes, and seemingly unquenchable thirst for beer, enlivened everywhere from Patriot Place to Fenway Park to the Dubliner to Boston Harbor.
It seems only fitting that the Patriots head to Scotland next.
Kraft, who played an instrumental role in bringing the World Cup to North America, has now planted the seed for his team to play in what would be Scotland’s first NFL game.
The NFL, amid its ongoing effort for global expansion, has hosted regular-season games in seven countries outside of the United States (Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain). New destinations this year include Australia and France.
The 2026 season will feature a league-record nine international games, including the Patriots playing the Lions in Munich in Week 10. Goodell has previously stated the goal is to eventually reach 16 international games per year so that each team can play in one.
“That’s an important mark to shoot for and I think we’re on our way.” Goodell said in February ahead of the Super Bowl. “It’s the ambition we have to be a global sport, but it’s also the demand we’re having. We’re hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football.”
As the NFL assesses potential additional markets, Scotland sure has presented itself as an attractive choice given the budding connection between the Tartan Army and Boston.
According to Goodell, 90 percent of the crowds at international games are fans from the host country. But it sure seems plausible that Bostonians would make the trek to experience Scotland, based on the festivities from the past week.
Gillette Stadium will host four more World Cup matches: England-Ghana on Tuesday, Norway-France on Friday, a round of 32 match featuring Germany on June 29, and a quarterfinal on July 9. Depending on the results of the group stage, it’s possible Scotland returns for the round of 32.
If not, though, the Tartan Army and Bostonians may soon have a chance to reconnect once more.
In Worcester, a Ghanaian community ready to celebrate the World Cup — 10:00 a.m.
By Danny McDonald, Globe Staff
WORCESTER — There is a Ghanaian sporting villain who still furrows brows and brings forth heavy groans all these years later.
His name is Luis Suárez, and in 2010 his goal-line handball denied Ghana a score in the dying minutes of a World Cup quarterfinals match. Sixteen years later, the memory still sears in Worcester, home to one of the largest Ghanaian communities in the United States.
“Agonizing pain,” said Emmanuel Larbi, the 33-year-old owner of Accra Girls Restaurant, of the moment.
Inside his small takeout spot in a nondescript Grafton Street strip mall on Monday, other Ghanaians had similar tales of World Cup woe, describing mixture of anguish and shock. They all smile about it now on the eve of Ghana’s huge game against England.
Some recalled where they were when it happened: at home watching with relatives, at school, inside their mother’s hairbraiding shop, at a crowded bar in England. For Aminu Ben, a 34-year-old who works in construction, the result ruined his high school graduation.
“I just went home,” he said.
Such is the power of the World Cup. And in the tiny storefront Monday, as a mountain of steaming jollof and a pile of waakye are brought out to a buffet table before the start of the lunch rush, that is the focus.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.