Former Ghana striker Godwin Attram has expressed confidence that the Black Stars can progress beyond the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite concerns surrounding the team’s recent form.
Ghana head into the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico without a win in their last five preparatory friendlies, a run that has raised questions about the team’s readiness ahead of football’s biggest football stage.
However, Attram believes the appointment of experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz could prove crucial in transforming the fortunes of the Black Stars.
“The FA did well to appoint him, and we hope that whatever the country wants, he will deliver,” Attram told Graphic Sports.
Despite Ghana being drawn in a difficult Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team and Panama national football team, the former striker remains optimistic about the team’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
“Why not?” he said confidently.
“At the end of the day, it’s just football, and if we prepare ourselves very well, in tune with whatever the players must do, I’m very sure we will qualify out of the group.”
The Black Stars are expected to continue their preparations with an international friendly against Wales national football team on June 2 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and will hope to reach the knockout stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final run in 2010. The Black Stars suffered group-stage exits in both the 2014 and 2022 tournaments.
Queiroz has already named a provisional 28-man squad, with the final team expected to be confirmed before the start of the competition.
The Black Stars open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
Ghanaian football fans will be able to follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup live after the government successfully secured broadcast rights for the tournament.
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, revealed that support from government and ongoing fundraising efforts made it possible for Ghana to acquire the rights to televise the global showpiece across multiple media platforms.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 12, during the presentation of a GH¢5 million donation from GCB Bank to the Black Stars fundraising campaign, the minister confirmed that arrangements had already been finalised.
“Through the support of government and fundraising efforts, we have been able to secure broadcast rights to telecast the World Cup matches live on some of the media stations,” Kofi Adams stated.
Support Growing for Black Stars Campaign
The contribution from GCB Bank forms part of a wider national fundraising initiative launched to support the Ghana national football team ahead of the tournament.
The campaign aims to encourage corporate institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders to contribute financially toward Ghana’s World Cup preparations as the country seeks to make a strong impression on football’s biggest stage.
Ghana Preparing for Fifth World Cup Appearance
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside the England national football team, Croatia national football team, and the Panama national football team.
The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup and will be hoping to improve on recent group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022.
With broadcast rights now secured, millions of Ghanaian fans across the country will have the opportunity to follow every moment of the tournament live as anticipation continues to build ahead of the global spectacle.
Former Ghana international Albert Adomah has warned the Ghana national football team against overlooking Panama national football team ahead of their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama before facing tougher Group L tests against the England national football team and the Croatia national football team. While many fans see Panama as the most beatable side in the group, Adomah believes that mindset could be dangerous.
Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, the former Black Stars winger stressed that football is unpredictable, and underdogs often produce their best performances when least expected.
“It will be a difficult group. We’ve got top teams in England and Croatia. On paper, some people might look at Panama and think they are the easiest side, but football does not work like that,” Adomah said.
He urged Ghana’s players to approach the game with total concentration and respect for their opponents.
“As players, the team you think you should beat easily is often the one that produces its best performance against you. That is why Ghana must be very cautious and respect every opponent,” he cautioned.
Adomah, who made 24 appearances for the Black Stars, believes Ghana has enough quality to advance to the knockout stages — but only if the squad delivers both mentally and physically.
“Ghana have a very good chance of progressing. We have talented players and plenty of options available. But it will come down to how the players show up, both mentally and physically,” he added.
The Black Stars, now under the guidance of new head coach Carlos Queiroz, will be aiming for a strong start when they face Panama on June 17, before taking on England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
For Ghana, the message is clear: there are no easy games at the World Cup, and success will depend on preparation, discipline, and respecting every opponent in Group L.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations heat up, former Ghana national football team goalie Fatau Dauda has shown confidence in the team’s goalkeeping prospects.
There is still disagreement about who should be Ghana’s top choice at the world championship, with about four months till the competition. Dauda, however, maintains that there is no need for alarm, pointing out that the technical staff is keeping a careful eye on a number of goalkeepers who are playing well at the club level.
“I’m keeping an eye on several of our promising goalkeepers who are performing well. Dauda stated, “God willing, we’ll have more options,” suggesting that the handlers are sweeping the field to guarantee that only the best and most mentally prepared goalkeepers reach the final roster.
The goalkeeping department has been one of the most discussed areas of the squad in recent months. A section of supporters believes Benjamin Asare should head to the World Cup as Ghana’s undisputed first choice following his performances in the qualifiers. Others argue that selecting a goalkeeper with European experience could provide an added advantage at the highest level.
At the domestic level, calls have also grown for the inclusion of Hearts of Oak’s second-choice goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, whose performances have attracted attention and intensified competition for places.
Head coach Otto Addo has already confirmed that Asare remains Ghana’s first-choice goalkeeper after playing a key role in securing qualification. His composure, shot-stopping ability and command of the penalty area have earned him the trust of the technical team.
Ghana face a daunting task in Group L, where they have been drawn against the England national football team, Panama national football team and the Croatia national football team.
With strong opposition awaiting, the decision over who guards the post could prove decisive in Ghana’s quest for a successful World Cup campaign.
At the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the US, Ghana promised to earn $10.5 million.
Following Ghana’s confirmed qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA Council agreed a record-breaking financial package for the expanded 48-team competition, and Ghana would get at least USD 10.5 million.
Ghana will get USD 9 million in participation prize money and an additional USD 1.5 million to cover team preparation expenses since the Black Stars have already advanced to the World Cup next year.
Ghana is now one of the recipients of FIFA’s record USD 727 million distribution plan, which is a 50% increase over the money distributed at Qatar 2022 and the biggest financial payout in World Cup history.
Ghana has been drawn into Group L, where they will face England, Croatia and Panama in what promises to be one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.
Beyond the sporting challenge, the financial rewards attached to participation and performance add another layer of significance to the Black Stars’ campaign.
The guaranteed USD 10.5 million provides the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with a major opportunity to strengthen national team logistics, enhance technical preparation and improve player welfare ahead of the tournament.
More importantly, the funds offer room for long-term investment, particularly in youth development, infrastructure and grassroots football – areas critical to sustaining Ghana’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Prize money will increase significantly with progression. Teams reaching the round of 16 will earn USD 15 million, while a quarter-final finish is worth USD 19 million, with the champions set to receive USD 50 million.
As Ghana prepares to return to the world’s biggest football stage, FIFA’s expanded financial commitment ensures that qualification delivers not only pride and visibility, but also substantial resources capable of shaping the future of Ghanaian football.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is in high demand worldwide, as seen by the five million ticket requests made in a single day.
Twenty-four hours after the FIFA World Cup 2026TM third round of ticket sales began, demand from all over the world reached unprecedented heights. Excited to see the first-ever 48-team tournament, which will take place throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, 2026, fans from more than 200 countries and territories submitted 5 million ticket requests via FIFA.com/tickets.
With Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami, June 27) emerging as the most sought-after match thus far during the Random Selection Draw phase, the early numbers indicate a high demand for memorable group-stage encounters.
Brazil v Morocco (New York New Jersey, 13 June), Mexico v Korea Republic (Guadalajara, 18 June), Ecuador v Germany (New York New Jersey, 25 June), and Scotland v Brazil (Miami, 24 June) round out the top five matches – involving nine teams from five different continents.
After 24 hours, the three host nations lead the way, with the subsequent top ten countries of residence for ticket requests being Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France and Panama.
The strong presence of South American neighbours Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina, as well as Central Americans from Panama, further demonstrates how the FIFA World Cup 2026 is capturing the imagination across the Americas. Scotland’s appearance in the top ten reflects fans’ excitement at seeing the team on the global stage again for the first time in 28 years, adding to the growing expectation that football will unite the world in North America in six months’ time.
The Random Selection Draw ticketing phase remains open until Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET), and the timing of a ticket request within this window does not affect the chances of success. Fans are encouraged to enter the draw at FIFA.com/tickets for a chance to be part of a tournament that promises unforgettable moments, unprecedented scale and a celebration of football like never before.
Throughout this sales phase, fans will be able to select which match(es), respective ticket category(ies), and number of tickets per match they would like to purchase, subject to household restrictions. Tickets will also be available for purchase via the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace at FIFA.com/tickets starting on Monday, 15 December 2025.
Fans are encouraged to visit FIFA.com/tickets for FAQs and all published legal documents applicable to the purchase and use of FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets. Ticket applications are subject to the Official Rules of the Random Selection Draw, available on FIFA.com. No purchase is required to enter or win, but if an applicant wins, the payment card will automatically be charged in accordance with the payment authorization. Winning means that a fan is automatically purchasing allocated FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets. Fans must be 18 years old or older to apply.
Fans who would like to immediately purchase access to specific match-ups and are looking for a premium, elevated matchday experience can purchase hospitality packages, which include match tickets, at FIFA.com/hospitality through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Additionally, fans can consider all-inclusive travel packages from Qatar Airways, which include match tickets, transport, hotel stays and flights.
As a not-for-profit organisation, FIFA reinvests the revenue it generates from the FIFA World Cup to fuel the growth of football (men’s, women’s and youth) throughout the 211 FIFA Member Associations globally. In fact, FIFA expects to reinvest over 90% of its budgeted investments for the 2023–2026 cycle back into the game, with the aim of significantly boosting the development of football around the world. A full overview of the FIFA World Cup investment budget is available on FIFA.com.
Black Stars Prepare for World Cup Qualifying Match Against CAR
The Black Stars will gather in Casablanca this weekend, according to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), as they get ready for their penultimate Group I qualifier against the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Benjamin Asare and Prince Owusu, two players who are based in Accra, together with the coaching staff, will leave Accra on Saturday to join the rest of the team in Morocco, according to the GFA. In contrast to earlier plans, players would go straight from their clubs to Morocco rather than meeting in Accra before departing.
Coach Otto Addo is expected to have his full squad by Monday to prepare for the crucial clash at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The team will hold three training sessions in Morocco before the match.
With 19 points from eight games, Ghana leads Group I right now. They need four points from their final two games to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Due to safety concerns, Trump has threatened to move the 2026 World Cup matches.
Just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, US President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty about the tournament’s hosting by stating that he will shift matches away from any American locations he deems unsafe.
In the 48-team event, which will also be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, the United States will host 78 of the 104 matches. Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle are among the eleven US cities that have been confirmed as locations. The final will also be held in the US.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump insisted safety would be paramount. “It will be safe for the World Cup. If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city,” he said. He singled out Democratic-run cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, both due to stage six matches, as well as Los Angeles, which is scheduled to host eight fixtures and the 2028 Olympic Games.
“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the Olympics, but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it to go. We’ll move it around a little bit,” Trump added.
Whether the president has the power to impose such reforms is still up for debate. The tournament’s organization and host city selection are entirely under the purview of FIFA, the body that oversees world football. At this point, changing locations would provide significant logistical difficulties, such as stadium preparation, tickets, lodging, and broadcasting plans.
Nonetheless, Trump is presently the leader of the World Cup taskforce and has a tight relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which may allow him some control over tournament scheduling.
The remarks highlight the political undertones of the competition, which is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever staged in North America. With just under a year to go before the opening match, questions now remain over whether Trump’s threat could reshape the tournament’s schedule.
Ahead of the pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next month, Ghanaian defender Alidu Seidu says he is excited to rejoin the Black Stars.
The Rennes center-back has returned to club play after missing almost a year of international duty due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Seidu disclosed throughout his recuperation that he kept a close eye on Ghana’s qualifying campaign and rejoiced in the team’s valiant 1-0 triumph over Mali following the unfortunate 1-1 tie with Chad in September.
“I supported the Black Stars from afar. I was very happy when we beat Mali because they are a strong team with big talents. I hope to join the group as fast as possible for the last two matches,” Seidu told Flashscore.
He might make his international comeback in the October doubleheader against Comoros and the Central African Republic. “Playing for the national squad is a huge accomplishment. I would sacrifice everything for the squad if I could join them in October. “That’s my goal,” he declared.
Seidu is adamant about qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. As everyone knows, Ghana is a major football-playing country. For Ghanaians as well as other players who couldn’t believe it, missing the 2025 AFCON was a letdown. We have to make it to the World Cup. We need patience because this team has a lot of young guys. In a few years, we’ll be very strong and difficult to beat.”
For the 2026 World Cup, Ghanaian clubs will reap the benefits of the unprecedented FIFA Club Benefits Program.
FIFA announced that a record USD 355 million will be given to clubs globally for the release of players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the final tournament, and Ghanaian clubs will be among the recipients of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme (CBP).
A major change in the way solidarity payments are distributed will occur as clubs releasing players for the World Cup qualifiers will also directly profit for the first time in the program’s history.
In the past, compensation was only given to clubs whose playersparticipated in the final competition.
Due to this modification, Ghanaian Premier League teams that supply players to the Black Stars throughout the qualifying campaign, including Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, Medeama SC, Dreams FC, Nations FC, and others, would receive cash compensation.
One of the many instances where Ghanaian clubs stand to gain even if their players do not make the final roster for the 2026 World Cup is Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who has recently earned Black Stars outings in the qualifiers.
The program acknowledges the importance of local clubs in developing talent for international competitions and offers a more equitable and inclusive allocation of resources across global club football.
Since the Ghana Premier League plays a significant role in the national team’s success, this development is a welcome boost that may result in much-needed funding for youth development, player welfare, and infrastructure.
USD 209 million was distributed among 440 teams globally in the previous edition (Qatar 2022), but the new extended model now guarantees that Ghana’s local clubs will gain even more for their support of the national team’s football.
