Ghana spent about 1.26 million dollars to secure tickets for supporters to attend the Black Stars’ group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has disclosed.
According to the Minister, the amount was used to secure a total of 2,922 match tickets for Ghanaian supporters during the group stage of the tournament.
The figures were disclosed when Kofi Adams appeared before Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth and Sports to account for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
The government-backed ticket programme covered the Black Stars’ three group-stage matches and was intended to ensure that a number of Ghanaian supporters were present in the stadiums to support the national team.
A total of 948 tickets were secured for Ghana’s opening group match against Panama, while 1,000 tickets were allocated for the encounter against England.
Another 974 tickets were secured for the Black Stars’ third group-stage game against Croatia, bringing the total number of tickets under the programme to 2,922.
The reported expenditure works out to an average of roughly 431 dollars per ticket.
The tickets were distributed electronically through FIFA’s official ticketing system, with beneficiaries including selected supporters, recognised supporter groups, sponsors, stakeholders and members of the Ghanaian diaspora.
The government’s arrangement, however, was limited to Ghana’s three group-stage matches and did not cover the Black Stars’ subsequent Round of 32 fixture against Colombia.
Supporters who wanted to attend Ghana’s knockout-stage match were therefore required to make their own arrangements for tickets.
The disclosure provides Parliament with a clearer picture of the financial commitment made toward ensuring that Ghanaian supporters could watch the Black Stars during the group phase of the global tournament.
The Black Stars began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before drawing goalless with England and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Croatia. Ghana subsequently progressed to the knockout stage but exited the competition after losing 1-0 to Colombia.
The ticket expenditure forms part of the broader financial discussions surrounding Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, as the Sports Ministry continues to account for various costs associated with the national team’s campaign.
The revelation by Kofi Adams is expected to keep attention on the government’s spending on the tournament, particularly the measures taken to ensure Ghanaian fans had a presence in the stands during the Black Stars’ group-stage matches.
