President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out any state-sponsored mass travel for Ghanaian supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that the financial implications are far beyond what the country can currently justify.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, the President said the estimated cost of sending a single supporter to the tournament — covering accommodation, transport, feeding and match tickets — stands at nearly $11,000.
He described the figure as unsustainable under current economic conditions, making mass sponsorship impossible.
“We cannot spend our money in that manner. The cost for each person to be fed, accommodated, transported, and to watch the games, including tickets, is estimated at almost $11,000,” he said.
The tournament, officially the FIFA World Cup 2026, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — a structure that significantly increases travel and coordination costs compared to previous editions held in a single country.
Ghana’s group-stage matches are expected to be played in Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia, further compounding the challenge of funding large-scale fan movement from home.
Instead of a mass travel scheme, Mahama announced a targeted arrangement to support Ghanaian fans already living in host cities. According to him, government will purchase match tickets and distribute them through organised Ghanaian community groups in the diaspora.
“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,” he said.
“We have organised our chapters in Boston, Philadelphia, and Canada. The tickets that we have purchased will be given to them to enable them to watch the matches,” he added.
He urged Ghanaians abroad planning to attend games to engage recognised community associations to ensure orderly access to tickets.
The Black Stars will make their fifth World Cup appearance, drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. They will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto, before facing England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Ghana will be aiming to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final run in 2010.
