$11,000 per fan too costly — Mahama says gov't will procure tickets for diaspora instead of sponsoring travel from Ghana
📍 Accra • by iamkingvinis • Jun 01, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out government-sponsored mass travel for Ghanaian football fans from home to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing a staggering cost estimate of nearly $11,000 per supporter, a figure he described as well beyond what the state can responsibly absorb under current economic conditions.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, the President was direct about the financial realities that make the kind of mass fan travel seen at previous World Cups unsustainable this time around.
"We cannot, you know, spend our money in that manner. The cost approximates for each person to be fed, accommodated, transported, and all that to watch the games, tickets, and all that is estimated at almost $11,000," he said.
The President noted that the unique structure of the 2026 World Cup, spread across three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico — compounds the logistical and financial burden compared to previous tournaments hosted in a single country.
With Ghana's Group L matches scheduled in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, covering travel, accommodation, feeding, and ticketing for any meaningful number of fans from Ghana would run into tens of millions of dollars.
Rather than abandon supporters entirely, however, President Mahama announced an alternative approach: the government will procure match tickets and distribute them to Ghanaian communities already based in the host cities, a targeted intervention designed to ensure that diaspora Ghanaians can attend matches without placing an unsustainable burden on the public purse.
"What we are doing is that we are procuring tickets for Ghanaians in the diaspora who want to attend the games. So if you want to attend the game, you will get a ticket to attend the game," he said.
"We have organised our chapters, our Ghanaian citizens in Boston, Philadelphia, and Canada. The tickets that we have purchased, we will give to them to enable them to watch the matches," he added.
The President encouraged Ghanaians abroad who are planning to travel to match venues to connect with recognised community groups and chapters, assuring them that arrangements are in place to ensure fair and organised access to the available tickets.
Ghana face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L, opening their campaign on June 17 in Toronto before heading to Boston and Philadelphia for the remaining group stage fixtures.
Speaking at a diaspora town hall meeting in London on Sunday, May 31, the President was direct about the financial realities that make the kind of mass fan travel seen at previous World Cups unsustainable this time around.
"We cannot, you know, spend our money in that manner. The cost approximates for each person to be fed, accommodated, transported, and all that to watch the games, tickets, and all that is estimated at almost $11,000," he said.
The President noted that the unique structure of the 2026 World Cup, spread across three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico — compounds the logistical and financial burden compared to previous tournaments hosted in a single country.
With Ghana's Group L matches scheduled in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, covering travel, accommodation, feeding, and ticketing for any meaningful number of fans from Ghana would run into tens of millions of dollars.
Rather than abandon supporters entirely, however, President Mahama announced an alternative approach: the government will procure match tickets and distribute them to Ghanaian communities already based in the host cities, a targeted intervention designed to ensure that diaspora Ghanaians can attend matches without placing an unsustainable burden on the public purse.
"What we are doing is that we are procuring tickets for Ghanaians in the diaspora who want to attend the games. So if you want to attend the game, you will get a ticket to attend the game," he said.
"We have organised our chapters, our Ghanaian citizens in Boston, Philadelphia, and Canada. The tickets that we have purchased, we will give to them to enable them to watch the matches," he added.
The President encouraged Ghanaians abroad who are planning to travel to match venues to connect with recognised community groups and chapters, assuring them that arrangements are in place to ensure fair and organised access to the available tickets.
Ghana face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L, opening their campaign on June 17 in Toronto before heading to Boston and Philadelphia for the remaining group stage fixtures.
👁️ 5 Total Views
