President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Government of Ghana will procure match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad who want to support the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while ruling out large scale state sponsorship for fans travelling from Ghana due to the enormous costs involved.
Speaking during a diaspora town hall meeting on May 31, 2026, President Mahama said the government’s strategy is to focus on Ghanaian communities already residing in host countries rather than funding extensive travel packages for supporters from Ghana. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, making it the first tournament to be staged across three countries and increasing travel and accommodation expenses significantly.
According to the President, the cost of sponsoring supporters from Ghana throughout the tournament would place a heavy burden on public finances at a time when the government is pursuing fiscal discipline and economic recovery measures. He explained that supporting a single fan through transportation, accommodation, feeding and match tickets could cost close to $11,000.
“What we are doing is that we are procuring tickets for Ghanaians in the diaspora who want to attend the games. So if you want to attend the game, you will get a ticket to attend the game,” President Mahama stated. He added that Ghanaian communities in cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and parts of Canada have already been organised to benefit from the ticket allocation plan.
The announcement represents a shift from previous World Cup campaigns where governments faced criticism over spending public funds on transporting supporters to international tournaments. Earlier this year, Mahama made it clear that his administration would not use state resources to fly supporters to the World Cup, citing recommendations contained in the Dzamefe Report, which cautioned against such expenditure.
At a World Cup fundraising event in March, the President stressed that even sponsoring a relatively small group of supporters would require millions of dollars. He argued that national resources must instead be directed toward economic priorities, including job creation and development projects that would have a broader impact on citizens.
Despite rejecting mass sponsorship, Mahama has consistently encouraged Ghanaians abroad to rally behind the national team. During an event in Philadelphia in March, he called on members of the Ghanaian diaspora across North America to mobilise and create a strong support base for the Black Stars during the tournament. He described football as a powerful national branding tool capable of promoting Ghana’s image globally while fostering unity among citizens at home and abroad.
The government’s latest decision comes amid growing excitement ahead of the expanded 48 team World Cup. Demand for tickets has surged globally, with FIFA reporting millions of ticket requests during sales phases. Interest among Ghanaian supporters has also been exceptionally high, prompting the Ghana Football Association to repeatedly update fans on ticket distribution processes and availability.
President Mahama indicated that arrangements are being made to ensure a fair distribution system for the tickets allocated to Ghanaians abroad. He encouraged those planning to attend matches to engage with recognised Ghanaian associations and community groups in host cities, which will help coordinate access to the tickets and support activities around the tournament.
The Black Stars secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an impressive qualifying campaign and are expected to carry the hopes of millions of Ghanaians seeking another memorable appearance on football’s biggest stage. The tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance since making its debut in Germany in 2006.
While the government has ruled out paying for large numbers of travelling fans, Mahama’s ticket initiative signals an effort to harness the strength of Ghana’s diaspora communities across North America. Officials believe that mobilising Ghanaians already living in the United States, Canada and Mexico can create vibrant support in the stadiums without placing additional pressure on the national budget.
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