Ghana's World Cup Fan Ticket Programme Cost the Government $1.26 Million
Image by Ghana Football Association
Ghana's Ministry of Sports and Recreation spent $1.26 million to buy 2,922 tickets for the Black Stars' three group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams told Parliament's Select Committee on Youth and Sports on Thursday. The figure works out to an average of $431 a seat, and the programme did not extend to Ghana's Round of 32 exit to Colombia.
Adams appeared before the committee to account for the government's role in Ghana's participation at the tournament, its fifth World Cup appearance. He said the ministry bought 948 tickets for the opening match against Panama, 1,000 for the game against England and 974 for the meeting with Croatia, all sourced electronically through FIFA's own ticketing system.
"We spent about $1.26 million in the procurement of the 2,922 tickets," Adams told the committee.
The total included a 10% administrative charge set by FIFA, with the tickets not meant for resale. They went instead to the Ghana Supporters Union, the country's High Commissions in Canada and the United States, members of the Ghanaian diaspora, the Ghana Students Association, the government delegation and selected Ghana Football Association officials.
Visa hurdles
Due to the US government’s tight visa rules, this made it difficult for many fans to obtain a visa. Adams mentioned Ghanaians already living abroad received a larger share than those travelling from home, because paperwork moves faster for people who don't need a US visa to begin with.
"The decision was taken that we will give many more of the tickets to Ghanaians who are already in the diaspora to be able to pay," he told the committee. The programme covered only the group stage and fans who wanted to follow the team past the group stage had to buy their own way in. According to Adams, Black Stars players are still waiting on World Cup bonuses, held up by an unresolved tax dispute.
