President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government plans to provide match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad who wish to support the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during a diaspora town hall meeting on May 31, Mahama said the initiative is aimed at mobilising Ghanaian communities in the tournament’s host cities to attend matches and cheer on the national team throughout the competition.
The President, however, stressed that the government would not be able to fund large-scale travel arrangements for supporters coming directly from Ghana due to financial constraints and the need for responsible management of public resources.
According to him, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged across United States, Canada, and Mexico, presents unique logistical and financial challenges that make the traditional practice of sponsoring fans from Ghana difficult to sustain.
Mahama explained that covering travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and match tickets for supporters travelling from Ghana would place a significant burden on the national budget.
He estimated that the total cost of supporting a single fan throughout the tournament could approach US$11,000, making mass sponsorship financially impractical under current economic conditions.
As an alternative, the government intends to focus on assisting members of the Ghanaian diaspora by purchasing match tickets for them. The President said this approach would enable Ghanaians living abroad to attend games in large numbers and provide strong support for the Black Stars without the state bearing the much higher costs associated with international travel and accommodation.
The announcement formed part of discussions on Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the government’s efforts to encourage widespread support for the national team while maintaining fiscal discipline.
Source: myjoyonline.com
