The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has urged the Black Princesses to play with courage and confidence as they prepare to represent the country at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
In a goodwill message dated 4 September, the ministry told the team they carried “the hopes of a nation” as they head into the tournament, where they will face Ecuador, South Korea and France in the group stage.
The message said the players had earned their place on the world stage through their performances in qualifying and encouraged them to embrace the opportunity to inspire the next generation of female footballers.
“As you step onto the world stage in Poland, you carry with you the hopes of a nation that believes deeply in your talent, your courage and what you can become,” the statement said.
The ministry highlighted Ghana’s consistency at youth level, noting that the Black Princesses had reached the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup for eight consecutive editions.
It described that record as evidence of the country’s growing strength in women’s football while reminding the current squad that every generation had the chance to write its own chapter.
“This is yours,” the message said.
The players were praised for fighting through the qualification campaign and for spending recent weeks preparing for the challenge ahead.
Ahead of matches against Ecuador, South Korea and France, the team was encouraged to trust its preparation, compete for every ball and enjoy the privilege of wearing Ghana’s colours on the global stage.
“Play with confidence. Trust your preparation. Trust one another. Compete for every ball and every minute,” the ministry said.
Beyond the tournament itself, the message stressed that the team’s impact could extend far beyond results on the pitch.
It said girls across schools, communities and football academies would be watching the Black Princesses and seeing new possibilities for themselves, making the squad ambassadors for the future of women’s football in Ghana.
“The Government, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the people of Ghana stand firmly behind you,” the statement added.
The message concluded with a rallying call for the team to “play with freedom, play with courage and play for one another”, ending with the assurance that “Ghana believes in you.”
The statement was signed by the ministry’s Head of Public Relations and Communications, Bagbara Tanko, on behalf of the Minister for Sports and Recreation.
