President John Mahama has announced that the government will purchase match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad who wish to support the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing a diaspora town hall meeting on Sunday, May 31, the President said the initiative is aimed at mobilising Ghanaian communities in host cities to attend matches and cheer on the national team during the tournament.
Mahama noted, however, that the government cannot afford to fully sponsor large numbers of supporters travelling from Ghana, stressing the need for responsible management of public resources.
He explained that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, presents significant logistical and financial demands that make the traditional practice of sponsoring fans from Ghana unsustainable.
According to the President, covering expenses such as airfare, accommodation, meals and match tickets for supporters travelling from Ghana would place a considerable strain on the national budget. He estimated that the total cost of supporting one fan throughout the competition could reach nearly $11,000.
As an alternative, the government will focus on assisting members of the Ghanaian diaspora by providing match tickets, enabling them to attend games in large numbers and rally behind the Black Stars without bearing the full cost of participation.