President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will procure match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad who wish to support the Black Stars during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama said the initiative is designed to strengthen support for Ghana's national football team by enabling Ghanaian communities in host cities to attend matches and cheer on the Black Stars.
The President explained that while government remains committed to rallying support for the national team, economic realities make it impossible to fully sponsor large groups of supporters travelling from Ghana, as was done during previous World Cup tournaments.
Rising Costs Influence Government Decision
According to President Mahama, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, presents significant financial challenges due to the scale of travel and logistics involved.
He revealed that supporting a single fan throughout the tournament could cost nearly $11,000 when transportation, accommodation, feeding, and match tickets are taken into account.
As a result, government has opted for a more targeted approach by supporting organised Ghanaian communities and supporters' groups already residing in host cities.
“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.
Diaspora Communities to Benefit
The President disclosed that Ghanaian associations in cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, and parts of Canada have already been identified to receive the tickets.
“We have organised our chapters, our Ghanaian citizens in Boston, Philadelphia and Canada. The tickets that we have purchased, we will give to them to enable them to watch the matches,” he added.
President Mahama encouraged Ghanaians abroad who intend to attend the tournament to connect with recognised community groups, assuring them that measures are being put in place to ensure equitable distribution of tickets.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to mobilise strong diaspora support for the Black Stars while maintaining fiscal discipline and responsible public spending.
READ ALSO: Jinapor Commends TEN Fields Workforce During Offshore FPSO Visit
