Black Queens secure World Cup playoff spot amid financial dispute

Ghana’s national women’s football team, the Black Queens, is embroiled in a financial dispute with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation following their participation in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The players issued a statement demanding transparency regarding unpaid per diems, qualification bonuses, and general welfare support. Specifically, players questioned why per diem payments did not cover the full duration of their training camp, which began on July 11, whereas the Ministry cited payments starting from July 26.

The Ministry has rejected these claims, asserting that all approved allowances have been fulfilled. Officials stated that per diems were paid in advance on July 29 and again on August 11 to cover the team’s extended stay. Regarding bonuses, the Ministry confirmed that winning bonuses from the group stage victory over Cape Verde are being processed, but denied that a separate qualification bonus exists under the current sports financing framework.

Despite the administrative friction, the Black Queens have achieved significant on-field success. After being eliminated from automatic qualification following a quarter-final loss to Malawi, the team secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Côte d’Ivoire in Casablanca. This win keeps their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive through the inter-confederation play-off route.