On Friday, December 5, Ghana found out which teams it will play against at the group level in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the group draw was conducted on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

It’s confirmed that the Black Stars are in Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama, with their matches scheduled to be held in Toronto, Foxborough, and Philadelphia.

Among these countries, Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo believes England is the favourite to finish atop the group.

Speaking during an interview with Ghanafa.org former Dutch talent coach stated that “For sure, England is the favourite in that group”.

While he acknowledged England as favourites in Group L, he, however, mentioned that he doesn’t treat any of the teams lightly.

"I look forward to every game as special."Very important for us that we don't underrate any team…. but for me as a coach, to be honest, I'm looking at every game equally," he noted.

England were 2018 World Cup finalists, while Croatia reached the semi-finals in the Qatar edition, and Panama will be making only their second appearance in World Cup history.

Ghana will open their tournament against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, before facing England and Croatia on 23 and 27 June, respectively.

The Black Stars have been eliminated at the group stage in each of their last two World Cup appearances.

Ghana qualified for the World Cup after finishing its Group I campaign with 25 points. They topped a zone that included Mali, Madagascar, Chad, the Central African Republic and Comoros.

Consequently, the government has announced a (GHS 150million) hundred and fifty million(($13m) to fund the team's preparations for the World’s biggest football tournament.

During the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on the floor of Parliament yesterday, he explained that,

“The government’s sustained investment in sports yielded impressive results, with the Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he stated.

Dr Forson explained that the funding underscores the government’s wider strategy to support national teams competing on the global stage and to strengthen sports development nationwide.

He added that the government remains committed to improving sports infrastructure and nurturing talent across the country, noting that plans are underway to build new stadiums in selected regions.

The Minister went on to commend the Black Stars for their hard work, which has led Ghana to secure its fifth qualification, cementing their place among Africa’s most consistent footballing nations.

“Mr Speaker. We also take this opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of our Black Stars, whose qualification for the World Cup continues to inspire the nation”, Dr Forson noted.

According to him, government commitment to the Sports sector has yielded what he describes as “impressive results”.

Past governments over the years, mostly offered some form of financial support, be it full or partial, for supporters who travel to attend the World Cup. However, it has become a challenge over the years due to financial constraints.

With the current state of the country’s sports sector, Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has revealed that, while it has been a long-standing act, he “doesn’t recommend” it.

Speaking during an interview with Peace FM, Mr Adams revealed that, while no allocation will be made for flying fans to the tournament, the government will offer other support, but not financial, citing that anyone who intends to go to the World Cup will have to find their own resources.

He said the country’s economic challenges as the main reason for the government’s decision not to finance fan travel.

“Well, there is no game or tournament we don’t go with supporters, but whether I will take them or someone else will take them is a different ball game,” he said.

Mr Adams says there is a need for the government to prioritise investment in the country’s sports infrastructure instead of spending it on fan sponsorship.

“We are in a period of austerity. We need money to build sports infrastructure in Ghana. If we are going to spend money to transport supporters all the way to America, that same amount can build five multipurpose parks in some communities,” he stated.

While confirming that government funding is off the table, Mr Adams encouraged individuals and corporate organisations to step in.

“I believe there are a lot of Ghanaians in those areas. Anyone who wants to go should find their own resources; we can facilitate their travel documents. Or we can mobilise support from corporate bodies, both private and public, to assist the fans.

“Government can collaborate with corporations to support, which would be a good idea, but putting government money into the budget to take supporters, I don’t think so,” he added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.

President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because it made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team,

“We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.