President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has expressed confidence in the Black Stars’ readiness and determination to make a strong statement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the team is eager to “rewrite its story” when Ghana faces Panama in its opening Group L match on Wednesday.
Okraku made the remarks during a visit by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the team’s hotel in Toronto on Tuesday, as preparations intensified ahead of the crucial encounter at BMO Field.
Addressing the Vice President and the delegation, the GFA President highlighted the commitment and focus within the squad, led by captain Jordan Ayew, ahead of Ghana’s fifth appearance at the global showpiece.
“One thing is very clear: these boys here, led by captain Jordan Ayew, are extremely determined to rewrite our story,” Okraku said.
“The 26-plus players that you see here and the technical team are ready. Tomorrow is the day they’ve been waiting for. Tomorrow is the day they’ve been preparing for.”
The GFA boss also emphasized the enormous expectations Ghanaians place on the national team, describing the Black Stars as a symbol of national pride that unites the country.
“We say in Ghana we have 30 million-plus people. And I can tell you, Your Excellency, for a fact that we have 30 million-plus coaches in Ghana. And we also have 30 million-plus supporters, fans of this team called the Black Stars,” he stated.
“This is how important this team is to Ghanaians. And our players here, our technical team led by Coach Carlos Queiroz, are fully aware of the expectations of the country to play well.”
Okraku added that the opening match against Panama would mark the beginning of Ghana’s quest for World Cup glory, urging the players to embrace the challenge on football’s biggest stage.
“Tomorrow will be the day they walk through that tunnel onto the green turf to fight for glory for Mother Ghana,” he said.
The fixture against the Central American side has generated considerable excitement among Ghanaian supporters, with the Black Stars seeking a positive start to their campaign.
Following the Panama encounter, Ghana will take on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 before concluding their Group L campaign against Croatia on June 27.
The Black Stars will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage and reach the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010.
