2026 World Cup: Black Stars have massive diaspora support – Sports Minister Kofi Adams
Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, believes the Black Stars could enjoy a significant advantage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, not only because of their performances on the pitch but also due to the overwhelming support expected from Ghanaians and Africans living abroad.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr Adams said enthusiasm for the national team is growing rapidly among Ghanaian communities across North America, Europe and at home, despite suggestions that the current squad lacks some of the high-profile stars of previous generations.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to attract large numbers of supporters from across the African diaspora. Mr Adams believes Ghana is particularly well-positioned to benefit from that support.
“The energy level is quite high,” he said. “When the team arrived in the United States, the number of Ghanaians who gathered at the airport and the hotel to welcome them showed clearly that our people are ready to stand behind the team.”
According to the minister, the excitement extends beyond the United States.
“Ghanaians in Canada are ready, and even those living in Europe are planning to travel to support the team. The energy is also building here in Accra and across the country,” he added.
Mr Adams said the Black Stars are attracting support not only from Ghanaians but also from Africans across the diaspora who are eager to rally behind one of the continent’s representatives on football’s biggest stage.
“Many people are preparing to support Ghana, whether they are Ghanaians abroad or Africans generally. A lot of things are falling into place for us,” he said.
While some observers have questioned whether Ghana’s current squad possesses the star power of previous generations, the minister argued that the team’s collective spirit and backing from supporters could prove decisive.
“You may think we don’t have the stars, but we have a team with a special spirit behind them, and that spirit can take us very far,” he said.
Mr Adams also highlighted Ghana’s World Cup host-city allocations, suggesting they could work to the team’s advantage because of the strong Ghanaian presence in those locations.
“Look at the cities we have been assigned. These are places with large Ghanaian communities,” he noted.
Pointing to Toronto as an example, he said the city is home to a sizeable Ghanaian and wider African population that could create a favourable atmosphere for the Black Stars during the tournament.
With anticipation continuing to build ahead of the World Cup, the minister believes the combination of passionate diaspora support, growing excitement at home and the team’s determination could become one of Ghana’s greatest strengths as it seeks another memorable campaign on the global stage.
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