Government has released GHS 76,466,919.20 to support the Black Stars’ participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently underway in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the disbursement in a press statement, saying the Ministry of Finance had authorised the release in two tranches, covering both preparations for the group stages and the settlement of outstanding bonuses owed to players from the qualifying campaign.
The larger of the two payments, GHS 58,929,500, equivalent to five million United States dollars, has been released as an advance to cover preparations and the costs associated with the team’s participation in the group stages of the tournament.
“This proactive funding underscores the government’s commitment to providing the team with the resources it needs to compete at the highest level and make the nation proud on the global stage,” the statement said.
The second tranche of GHS 17,537,419.20, equivalent to $1,488,000, settles outstanding performance bonuses owed to players and technical staff following the successful qualification campaign.
The bonus payment completes a 50-50 arrangement put in place during the qualifying series, under which players received half of their agreed bonuses while the qualifiers were ongoing, with the remaining half contingent on the team securing a place at the tournament. Ghana’s qualification triggered the release of the outstanding half.
“These payments are in fulfilment of the performance-based agreement established during the qualifying series,” the statement said, adding that government remained steadfast in its support for the Black Stars and the development of sports in the country.
The timely release of funds l, according to the statement was designed to give the technical team and players the stability and motivation they needed to concentrate on their core mandate.
“We believe this timely release of funds will provide the stability and motivation needed for the technical team and players to focus on their core mandate: delivering success for the people of Ghana,” he said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted across three countries, with matches spread between venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico in what is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 nations.
Ghana last appeared at the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, where the Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage. The team’s return to the tournament comes on the back of a qualifying campaign that saw them navigate a competitive African pool to secure one of the continent’s allocated berths.
Kwakye Ofosu called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team throughout the tournament.
“We call on all Ghanaians to continue to offer their unwavering support to the Black Stars as they embark on this prestigious journey to the World Cup,” he said.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
