President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out government-sponsored mass travel for Ghanaian football fans to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing an unsustainable cost of nearly $11,000 per supporter.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting in London on Sunday, 31st May 2026, the President stated that the state cannot responsibly absorb such high expenditures under current economic conditions.
Instead, the government will purchase match tickets and distribute them to Ghanaian communities already living in the host cities.
“We cannot spend our money in that manner,” President Mahama said. “The cost approximates for each person to be fed, accommodated, transported, and all that to watch the games, tickets, and all that is estimated at almost $11,000.”
Logistical Challenges of a Tri-Nation Tournament
The President explained that the unique structure of the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—compounds the logistical and financial burdens compared to previous tournaments held in a single country.
With Ghana’s Group L matches spread across Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, covering flights, accommodation, feeding, and ticketing for a large delegation from Ghana would cost the public purse tens of millions of dollars.
Strategic Shift to Diaspora Mobilisation to ensure the national team, the Black Stars, still receives strong stadium support, the government is pivoting its strategy to leverage Ghana’s extensive overseas network.
“What we are doing is that we are procuring tickets for Ghanaians in the diaspora who want to attend the games,” Mahama announced. “We have organised chapters for 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.”
The President urged Ghanaians living abroad who plan to attend the games to connect with recognised community groups and local chapters, assuring them that a fair and organised distribution system is in place.
Tournament Outlook
Ghana is placed in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Toronto, Canada, before travelling to Boston and Philadelphia for their remaining group stage fixtures.