The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that the upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea will be fully funded by the host nations — not the Ghanaian government.

Speaking to Asempa FM, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum disclosed that while the Ministry of Youth and Sports was informed of the matches, no financial support was provided for the Black Stars’ Asian tour.

“The games will be funded by the two teams that invited the Black Stars; we didn’t take any money from the ministry,” Asante Twum stated. “The GFA President [Kurt Okraku] informed the sector minister, and we received their blessing to proceed — but no funding.”

The Black Stars are currently in Asia preparing for Friday’s Kirin Cup clash against Japan at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi, followed by a second friendly against South Korea in Seoul on November 18. Both matches form part of Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Addressing player compensation, Asante Twum clarified that no winning bonuses will be paid during the tour. Instead, players will receive only the agreed per diem.
“There will be no winning bonuses; it will just be the per diem agreed between the GFA and the players,” he added.

The revelation underscores the GFA’s strategic partnerships and cost-conscious approach to international preparations, while also highlighting the financial realities of Ghanaian football administration.