In exactly 10 days, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off in Mexico, and as Ghana makes preparations for it, the Finance Ministry has yet to release the budgeted funds earmarked for the Black Stars.

Speaking during a live interview on TV3's Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, May 31, Minister for Sports, Kofi Eddie Adams, indicated that although the tournament is fast approaching, the funds will be released once they have gone through the necessary government processes before disbursement.

"We are waiting on the Ministry of Finance to release the GH¢150 million allocation for the World Cup after it goes through all the processes," he said.

Also, he expressed optimism about the Black Stars' potency and prospects of putting up a good showing at the global football tournament.

"We are not going there as mere participants, but we are going there as a team that is equally capable of winning whether people believe it or not," he declared, dismissing claims that the later appointment of a head coach a few months ahead of the World Cup was knee-jerk.

He said, "Choosing a head coach a few months before the tournament is not out of place".

His comments come at a time when a 28-man Black Stars squad has camped in Cardiff to prepare for its friendly against Wales tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2.

Before the match, a final squad list of players who will represent Ghana is expected to be released anytime today, Monday, June 1, with two players set to be dropped after the Wales friendly.

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. They open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

On the injury of key midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who is among the notable absentees from the current squad, the Minister expressed regret but accepted the reality.

"We prayed for Kudus to be fit to play the World Cup tournament, but injury is part of the football profession," he said.

Antoine Semenyo is now expected to be Ghana's main attacking threat in Kudus' absence, with the Black Stars hoping to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since their memorable quarter-final run at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Blacks Stars budget reviewed

Reviewing and rationalising the Black Stars’ budget has saved the country about $700,000, the Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has said.

According to him, the savings come after a directive from President Mahama that the budget for the national team be made public ahead of the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In compliance, the Buem Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) made it public after the Black Stars’ recent doubleheader against Chad.

The decision by the Buem Member of Parliament drew criticism from sections of the football fraternity, who questioned the disclosure of the team’s financial details.

However, speaking to the media after Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang paid a working visit to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Mr Adams defended the policy, describing it as prudent and beneficial.

“We worked closely with the FA to rationalise the budgeting and disbursement processes, and this has saved close to $700,000 across two Black Stars matches,” he said.

Mr Adams stressed that the cost-cutting measures did not negatively affect the team, noting that players and the technical staff received all their entitlements.

“These measures have gone a long way to build confidence. The players did not suffer, and the technical team did not suffer. They continued to receive what was due them, even with the savings,” he added.

The Vice President’s visit saw the presence of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, Deputy Directors of the National Sports Authority, Veronica Commey and Gideon Hammond, as well as Sports Ministry Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany.