Ghana have joined Nigeria as the most successful African nations in terms of FIFA World Cup victories after a dramatic stoppage-time win over Panama at the 2026 tournament.
The Black Stars edged Panama 1-0 in their opening Group L match in Toronto on Thursday, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring deep into added time to secure all three points and write another chapter in Ghana’s World Cup history.
For much of the contest, Panama looked on course to claim their first point at a World Cup. The Central Americans matched Ghana’s intensity and organisation throughout a tightly contested encounter, frustrating the four-time African champions for long periods.
But with six minutes of stoppage time being played, Ghana found the breakthrough.
Brandon Thomas-Asante burst down the left flank, beat his marker and delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Yirenkyi arrived at the perfect moment to convert from close range in the 95th minute, sparking celebrations among the Ghana supporters inside Toronto Stadium.
The victory lifts Ghana level on points with England at the top of Group L ahead of their second group match next Tuesday. More significantly, it takes the Black Stars to six World Cup victories, matching Nigeria’s long-standing African record.
Ghana have reached the landmark in just 16 World Cup matches, while Nigeria recorded six wins across 21 games.
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Cameroon remain next on the list with five victories from 26 matches, although the Indomitable Lions were unable to qualify for the 2026 finals. Morocco also sit on five wins and could move ahead of both Ghana and Nigeria before the tournament concludes.
The Atlas Lions rewrote African football history in Qatar 2022 by becoming the first team from the continent to reach a World Cup semi final, and another victory in this year’s competition would see them move closer to the top of the all-time African standings.
Senegal also boast an impressive World Cup record despite their opening defeat to France at the 2026 finals. The Teranga Lions have won five of their 13 World Cup matches since making their debut in Korea/Japan 2002, where they famously reached the quarter-finals.
Ghana’s rise on the global stage began in Germany 2006 when they became only the third African nation to reach the knockout stages in consecutive tournaments. Four years later in South Africa, they came within a penalty kick of becoming Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalists before suffering a heartbreaking shootout defeat to Uruguay.
Since then, the Black Stars have appeared at every World Cup except the 2018 edition in Russia, maintaining their status as one of Africa’s most consistent performers on football’s biggest stage.
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Nigeria’s World Cup journey started in 1994 and included appearances in 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018. However, the Super Eagles have now missed two consecutive editions following unsuccessful qualification campaigns for Qatar 2022 and the ongoing 2026 tournament.
With Nigeria absent, Ghana now have the opportunity not only to move clear of the Super Eagles’ record but also to establish themselves as the outright African leaders for World Cup victories. Morocco and Ivory Coast remain in contention to challenge that mark before the tournament reaches its conclusion.
