Frustration is mounting among Ghanaians in North America seeking to attend Ghana’s matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after diplomatic missions in both Canada and the United States disclosed that they have not yet received tickets for distribution, despite government revelations that more than $1.1 million has already been spent on tickets as part of the country’s World Cup budget.
In separate public notices, the Ghana missions in Ottawa and Washington D.C. addressed growing enquiries from members of the Ghanaian diaspora regarding access to tickets for the tournament, which kicked off on June 11.
The Embassy of Ghana in Washington D.C. stated that it was yet to receive any allocation of tickets for the games.
“The Embassy of Ghana in Washington D.C. wishes to inform the Ghanaian diaspora in the United States that Mission is yet to receive tickets for the World Cup games,” the statement said.
The mission assured the diaspora community that details on ticket distribution would be communicated once tickets and the modalities for allocation were received.
The development comes amid heightened public interest following comments by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, who disclosed that $1.126 million of Ghana’s World Cup budget had been earmarked for tickets.
The revelation has triggered questions among some Ghanaians, particularly those living abroad, who are seeking clarity on how the tickets will be distributed and who the beneficiaries will be.
Meanwhile, the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa issued a separate advisory focused on entry requirements for supporters travelling to Canada for the World Cup.
The mission reminded travellers that Canada maintains strict regulations on the importation of food, plant and animal products and warned that certain items, including meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, may be prohibited.
According to the High Commission, the restrictions are intended to prevent the introduction of plant pests and animal diseases, with non-compliance potentially leading to confiscation and disposal of items at the border.
The notice urged travellers to familiarise themselves with the regulations before departure to avoid delays or inconvenience upon arrival.
The contrasting announcements have further fuelled concerns among some members of the Ghanaian diaspora, who say they are eager to support the Black Stars but remain uncertain about access to tickets barely days into the tournament.
Mahama’s promise
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will procure match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad who wish to support the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting on Sunday, May 31, the President said the initiative is aimed at enabling Ghanaian communities in host cities to attend matches and cheer on the national team during the tournament.
He explained, however, that unlike previous World Cups, the government will not be able to fully sponsor large groups of supporters travelling from Ghana, citing the high financial burden and the need for fiscal discipline.
According to him, the tournament’s hosting across three countries significantly increases costs, making it impractical to cover transportation, accommodation, feeding, and match tickets for fans departing from Ghana
Black Stars’ Group L Schedule
The uncertainty over tickets comes as Ghana prepares for a challenging Group L campaign against Panama, England and Croatia. FIFA’s schedule shows the Black Stars opening their tournament against Panama in Toronto before travelling to the United States for their remaining group matches.
Ghana’s Group L Fixtures:
June 17: Ghana vs Panama – Toronto Stadium, Canada (23:00 GMT)
June 23: England vs Ghana – Boston Stadium, United States (20:00 GMT)
June 27: Croatia vs Ghana – Philadelphia Stadium, United States (21:00 GMT)
