Mahama Rules Out State-Funded Supporters Trip for 2026 World Cup
President John Dramani Mahama has made it clear that the government will not commit public funds to transport supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the financial burden is far too heavy for the state to absorb.
Addressing guests at the Ghana World Cup fundraising launch held at the Kempinski Hotel on Friday, Mahama said the decision aligns fully with recommendations from the Dzamepe Report, which cautioned against using taxpayer money to sponsor fans for international tournaments.
“In consonance with the Dzamepe report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” he stated.
Mahama revealed that even attempting to sponsor a small contingent of travelling fans would be overwhelmingly expensive.
“The logistical support of flying and accommodating even just 200 supporters is staggering. The estimated cost for just 200 supporters is close to $2 million,” he noted.
He stressed that while the passion and presence of Ghanaian fans have always been invaluable, public funds must be prioritised for critical national needs.
“We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we use public resources,” the president added.
With the government holding firm on this position, Ghanaian supporters hoping to attend the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will need to depend on private sponsorships, personal funding, or community-driven fundraising.
Ghana will compete in Group L at the 2026 World Cup, lining up against England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars begin their campaign on June 17 in Toronto.
The fundraising initiative launched at the event aims to reduce the financial burden on the Ghana Football Association as preparations intensify for the global showpiece.
