Gov’t will not fund supporter travel to 2026 World Cup, President Mahama confirms

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not allocate public funds to sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The President made the announcement on Friday, March 20, 2026, during the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign. He explained that the decision aligns with the recommendations of the Dzamefe Commission, which previously examined Ghana’s participation in international sporting events.

Citing the financial burden of such an initiative, President Mahama noted that transporting and accommodating a modest delegation of just 200 supporters would cost the state nearly $2 million.

“The cost of flying and accommodating even just 200 supporters is very costly. So in accordance with the Dzamefe Report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” the President stated.

While acknowledging the vital role that fan support plays in international tournaments, Mr. Mahama emphasized the importance of prioritizing public resources. He stressed that state funds should be channeled toward job creation and other critical national development needs.