The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has charged the national team’s technical team to make the squad selection based on competence and talent, rather than sentiment. His remarks come on the back of Ghana’s draw with England, Panama, and Croatia.

Speaking during an interview with Sporty FM, the Buem Member of Parliament (MP) emphasised that Ghana must select the best players to make up the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament squad.

“We must call up the best, as I have always insisted. A lot of it is emotional, but you also need technical capabilities and sound judgment. You have to decide based on performance and readiness, not just history or popularity. The country must go with its best,” he noted.

He pledged his support for the coach in whatever decisions he makes to ensure the best outcome for the team.

“...Wherever we find it, the coach has my support. Whoever is responsible for the team will have my support,” he added.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, opening their campaign against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.

Meanwhile, one of the many concerns that has been expressed after Ghana fell in Group L following the group draw, which was held on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C, is the Black Stars’ falling in the same group (Group L) with England.

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo himself affirmed that among the 3 other teams, England remains the favourite. However, he added that, while that has been affirmed, he wouldn’t recommend that any of the other opponents, that is, Croatia and Panama, be underestimated

During a media engagement, Addo emphasised the importance of consistency and concentration.

“I look forward to every game as special. It is very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group, but as a coach, I’m looking at every game equally.”

Addo highlighted Ghana’s opening match against Panama as a crucial opportunity to gain momentum.

“I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, which will be very, very crucial. A strong start will make the other games a little easier psychologically. We will use the March window for test matches and then assess where we are,” he noted.

Referring to the team’s stunning performance during the qualifiers and its preparations so far, Otto Addo mentioned that, “We did very well in the qualifiers. We didn’t lose a single official game, one draw, and the rest wins. It was a good year in 2025 after a difficult 2024,” he said, commending his squad for the union in the squad so far.

He also commended the unity within the squad. “Even though we have a very young team, we did really well. There was good harmony and good union.”

Asamoah Gyan on Ghana’s draw

Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents its 5th appearance at the global tournament.

After a group-stage exit in Qatar 2022, the Black Stars are determined to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010.

The high-profile ceremony attended by notable attendees, including President Donald, entertainers like Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and sports icons like Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Rio Ferdinand and Ghana’s legendary footballer, Asamoah Gyan.

Speaking during a media engagement, the former Ghanaian footballer expressed optimism about the team’s chances in the group. He acknowledged that although it is a bit tricky, he is confident Ghana will make it through successfully.

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has expressed confidence that the Black Stars can advance beyond the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, despite being placed in a challenging Group L.

“It’s a tricky group. We will do our possible best to qualify from the group stage,” Gyan, who remains Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer, said.

Speaking during a media engagement, the former Ghanaian footballer expressed optimism about the team’s chances in the group. He acknowledged that although it is a bit tricky, he is confident Ghana will make it through successfully.

Govt’s allocation to Black Stars for World Cup

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.

Expected turnout for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup scheduled for June-July 2026 is set to see approximately five to ten million people in attendance, as announced by the president of the football governing body, Gianni Infantino.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, he noted that the tournament is expected to attract millions of people across the three countries set to host the games next year.

“Millions of fans will be coming. One of the things I’ve observed in America is that the stadiums here are really built for people to have fun, to enjoy, to spend time. They don’t just watch the game and leave — they stay for hours, and I think that’s exactly what we need. We need occasions that bring people together from all over the world.”

The USA is giving priority access to fans, the Whitehouse has announced.

People from all over the World will travel to support their countries. Consequently, the Whitehouse has announced that fans set to travel for the tournament to the USA will be given the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass), given that most of the matches will be played there.

The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) is a special visa‑interview scheduling program created by the U.S. government and FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. It gives ticket holders priority access to U.S. visa appointments, ensuring fans can travel to matches in North America despite existing visa backlogs.

Speaking during a joint press briefing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, President Donald Trump mentioned that “I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success.”