Ghana has, for the first time in over a decade, secured live broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following successful government-backed arrangements and a nationwide fundraising initiative.

The last time Ghana secured such broadcast rights was in 2014, with GBC leading coverage when Brazil hosted the tournament.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, while speaking during the presentation of a GH¢5 million donation from GCB Bank to the Black Stars support campaign.

According to the Buem MP, the broadcast rights cover a few selected media platforms nationwide.

“Through the support of government and fundraising efforts, we have been able to secure broadcast rights to telecast the World Cup matches live on some media stations,” he said.

Times Ghana has secured broadcast rights in World Cup history

In 2010, when the 2010 FIFA World Cup was hosted in South Africa, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, together with private partners, secured the rights and broadcast the matches live. This was historic because Ghana reached the quarterfinals, its best performance to date.

By 2014, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ghana again secured broadcast rights, with GBC leading nationwide coverage.

In 2018, despite Ghana not qualifying for the tournament in Russia, broadcast rights were limited, and only selected pay-TV platforms carried the matches.

For the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana qualified, but the country did not secure full nationwide broadcast rights. Coverage was mainly available through pay-TV providers such as SuperSport and DStv, leaving many fans without free access.

Ghana-Mexico friendly ahead of the main tournament

Meanwhile, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has released the official 23-man squad for the international friendly against Mexico on May 22.

The selection marks Queiroz’s first squad announcement since taking charge in April 2026 and features a mix of European-based stars, domestic Ghana Premier League talents, and key returnees.

See the full list below.

The goalkeepers are Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Paul Reverson (Ajax FC), and Gidios Aseako (Dreams FC).

The defenders include Oscar Oppong (Granada), Ebenezer Adade (Dreams FC), Ebenezer Annan (St Etienne), Manu Duah (San Diego FC), Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Dacosta Antwi (Anderlecht Futures), and Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions).

The midfielders are Emmanuel Edjei (Dundee United), Abdul Aziz Issah (Barcelona B), Augustine Boakye (St Etienne), Majeed Ashimeru (La Louviere), Rak-Sakyi Jesurun (Stoke City), and Salim Adams (Medeama SC). Majeed Ashimeru returns following a long injury layoff.

The forwards/wingers include Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor), Felix Afena-Gyan (Amedspor), Ibrahim Osman (Birmingham City), Prince Amoako (Nordsjaelland), Francis Amuzu (Gremio), and Joseph Opoku (Zulte-Waregem). Felix Afena-Gyan returns for the first time since May 2025.

The squad notably excludes veteran mainstays like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, as Queiroz uses this final pre-tournament window to evaluate squad depth before Ghana’s opening match against Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 17.

Ghana, preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup, have been drawn in Group L. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

After successive group-stage exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, Queiroz faces the challenge of restoring belief and guiding the team to a more competitive show on football’s biggest stage.