Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has described Ghana’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup meeting with England as a “special game,” as anticipation builds for one of the tournament’s standout Group L fixtures.

The four-time African champions are scheduled to face the Three Lions on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in what will be their second group match of the competition.

Ayew’s connection to English football adds a personal dimension to the encounter. The 34-year-old has spent over a decade in England, featuring for Aston Villa, Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Leicester City since first arriving in the 2015/16 season.

Speaking in an interview with FIFA, the Ghana captain reflected on his long stay in the country, describing England as a second home while acknowledging the emotional weight of facing familiar surroundings on football’s biggest stage.

“It’s going to be a special game. I’ve been there for 10 years; it’s like my third home because France is my second home,” Ayew said.

“They’ve been good to me. There have been ups and downs, I’ve experienced everything there, and I have really, really enjoyed my time there. I’m still enjoying it, and hopefully there are more years to come.”

Despite the personal ties, Ayew stressed that sentiment will be set aside once the match begins, with Ghana determined to make a strong statement at the World Cup.

“We have to prove ourselves, and we have to show that we have quality, and we have to be ready for the challenge,” he said.

“We all know it’s going to be difficult, but we are ready. Obviously, I know people don’t think that we will do well, so that is good.”

The forward also acknowledged external doubts about Ghana’s chances, suggesting the team is drawing motivation from being written off.

“I like it when people think like that. We will see when we get there,” he added. 

On the domestic front, Ayew continues to deliver consistent performances despite Leicester City’s relegation to League One in the 2025/26 season, contributing nine goals and three assists.

He also finished the World Cup qualifiers as one of the standout performers, registering seven goals and seven assists — the joint-highest tally in CAF qualifying alongside Algeria’s Mohamed Amoura.

The Black Stars are already in the United States stepping up preparations for the tournament. They will face Jamaica in a warm-up fixture on June 10 before opening their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17.