Key keywords: Marcus Rashford, Rashford injury update, England vs Ghana 2026 World Cup, England World Cup squad, Three Lions match availability, 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, Manchester United forward, England starting lineup. Ahead of England’s highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B clash against Ghana in Houston, millions of football fans worldwide have been waiting for official updates on the fitness of star forward Marcus Rashford, who picked up a minor hamstring strain during the Three Lions’ final pre-tournament training session last week. Rashford was forced to sit out England’s final warm-up match against Iceland as a precaution, leading to widespread speculation that he could miss the opening group game against the Black Stars, who are widely viewed as one of the toughest opponents in England’s group this year. England’s medical team has been providing daily progress reports on the 28-year-old Manchester United forward, confirming earlier this week that he had been participating in light training and individual ball work without any reported discomfort. Head coach Gareth Southgate addressed the injury in his pre-match press conference 24 hours before kickoff, noting that “Marcus has made incredible progress over the past seven days. He’s been cleared to join full team training, and we will make a final call on his involvement in the matchday squad after the pre-match warmup, which is standard procedure for players returning from soft tissue injuries.” Rashford emerged as one of England’s most valuable attacking assets during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, finishing as the team’s top scorer with three goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Wales in the group stage. His blistering pace, clinical finishing, and ability to create chances from wide positions make him a critical piece of Southgate’s game plan against Ghana, who are known for their physical, high-pressing defensive line and fast counter-attacks. Football analysts have repeatedly noted that Rashford’s ability to stretch opposition defenses will be key to unlocking Ghana’s backline, which has conceded just two goals in their last eight international matches. In an official update released 90 minutes before kickoff, the England Football Association confirmed that Rashford has been named in the starting lineup for the Ghana clash, taking up his usual left-wing position alongside Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka in the front three. The update added that the medical team is confident he will be able to complete at least 70 minutes of the match, with a planned substitution lined up if he shows any signs of fatigue or discomfort. The announcement has been met with widespread excitement from England fans, who have been sharing their support for Rashford across social media platforms, with many noting that his presence in the starting lineup significantly boosts the team’s chances of securing three points in their opening group game.