Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance must improve national branding – President Mahama

He mentioned that Ghana is preparing for its fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, describing the tournament as an opportunity not just for sporting glory but also for boosting the country’s international profile and economic prospects.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament during his 2026 State of the Nation Address in Accra on Friday, February 27, President Mahama highlighted the importance of managing visa processes for supporters travelling to the United States, ensuring that Ghana maintains compliance to prevent returning to the non-immigrant visa ban list.

“Mr Speaker, supporters and other people interested in going to support their team would have to submit a visa request to the American Embassy. We are being told that we must ensure that supporters who go return on their visits.”

“It has taken a lot of work to restore Ghana’s five-year non-immigrant visa and take us off the ban list. It is my hope that this event will not send thousands of Ghanaians to America and get us back on the ban list,” he said.

Ghana has been housed in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia and, will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude group play against Croatia on June 27.

Having suffered back-to-back group phase elimination in the 2014 and 2022 Mundial in Brazil and Qatar, respectively, the four-time African champions are aiming for a deeper run.

The GFA has confirmed that the team will be based at Bryant University in the United States for the duration of the tournament.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet