Ghana Sports Ministry discloses $1.26m World Cup ticket expenditure

Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has disclosed that the government spent approximately $1.26 million to procure 2,922 tickets for the Black Stars’ group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The expenditure, which averaged roughly $431 per ticket, covered matches against Panama, England, and Croatia. The tickets were intended for various stakeholders, including the Ghana Supporters Union, government delegations, and the Ghanaian diaspora, though distribution plans were adjusted due to visa challenges in host countries.

In addition to ticket costs, the Minority in Parliament is demanding a full breakdown of the GH¢58.9 million spent on overall World Cup participation and the use of GH¢115 million raised through private fundraising.

On the revenue side, Ghana expects to receive approximately $12.5 million from FIFA by the end of September. These funds, following the settlement of tax and administrative processes with host nations, are slated to be transferred through the Ghana Football Association into the newly established Ghana Sports Fund to support athlete development and national sporting programs.