Government Spent GH¢68 Million on Black Stars’ World Cup Campaign, Ato Forson Reveals

The Government of Ghana spent GH¢68 million on the Black Stars’ participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed, offering Parliament its first official accounting of the country’s expenditure on the national team’s campaign.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, the Finance Minister said the expenditure covered Ghana’s participation in the global tournament, including preparations, logistics and other operational commitments associated with the Black Stars’ campaign.

The disclosure comes weeks after the Ministry of Finance announced the release of funds to support the team’s World Cup preparations, including advance payments for logistics and the settlement of outstanding qualification bonuses agreed with players and the technical team.

The spending figure is likely to reignite public debate over financing elite football, particularly as successive governments have faced increasing calls for greater transparency and accountability in sports expenditure.

The Black Stars secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after topping their qualifying group, marking Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament. Government officials have consistently argued that investing in the national team strengthens Ghana’s international sporting profile while supporting the country’s broader sports development agenda.

Dr Forson’s update forms part of the government’s wider fiscal review, which outlines expenditure across key sectors while providing Parliament with an assessment of budget implementation during the first half of 2026.