Mahama Rejects State-Funded Fan Travel for 2026 World Cup, Unveils Diaspora Ticket Initiative

Speaking during a town hall meeting with Ghanaians in London on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama explained that sponsoring a single fan to attend the tournament would cost nearly $11,000. He noted that covering expenses such as flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, and match tickets for supporters would place an excessive burden on the country’s finances. “We cannot spend our money in that manner. The cost for each person to be fed, accommodated, transported and provided tickets to watch the games is estimated at almost $11,000,” the President said. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With Ghana’s group-stage matches scheduled to take place in different cities across North America, travel and accommodation costs are expected to be significantly higher than in previous tournaments. Instead of financing supporter travel, President Mahama announced a new initiative aimed at assisting Ghanaians living in the host countries. Under the arrangement, the government will secure match tickets and distribute them through recognised Ghanaian community organisations in the diaspora. According to him, the programme is designed to ensure a strong Ghanaian presence at Black Stars matches while avoiding unnecessary pressure on the national budget. “What we are doing is procuring tickets for Ghanaians in the diaspora who want to attend the games. If you want to attend the game, you will get a ticket,” he stated. The President added that Ghanaian associations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Canada have already been contacted to help coordinate the fair distribution of tickets. Ghana will be making its fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia. The four-time African champions will be aiming to advance beyond the group stage and replicate their historic 2010 World Cup run, where they became only the third African nation to reach the tournament’s quarter-finals.