- Black Stars World Cup Package Pegged at $100,000 Per Player — Sports Minister
Black Stars players will each receive an appearance fee of $100,000 for participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams.
The Minister disclosed the figure during an interview on Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor, providing one of the clearest official indications yet of the financial package awaiting the Black Stars squad ahead of the tournament in North America.
“The appearance fee for the Black Stars players has been pegged at $100,000 per player,” Mr Adams revealed.
The announcement comes as the government awaits approval and release of a reported GH¢150 million World Cup budget from the Ministry of Finance to support Ghana’s campaign at the global showpiece.
Mr Adams also confirmed that Ghana’s provisional 28-man squad will be reduced to FIFA’s official 26-man tournament limit before the team departs for the competition.
“We are ready on all fronts for the World Cup. The coach will have to drop two players from the 28 preliminary players he has called up,” the Minister said.
According to him, the likely cuts will come from the goalkeeping department, with the current squad featuring five goalkeepers.
“The cut of the Black Stars squad from 28 to 26 is likely to come from the goalkeeping unit. They will surely take a cut,” he added.
Ghana’s squad is currently camping in Cardiff as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is scheduled to play an international friendly on June 2 before departing for North America.
The Black Stars will begin their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Toronto. They will then play their second group match in Boston on June 23 before concluding their Group L fixtures in Philadelphia on June 27.
Despite the difficult group, Mr Adams expressed confidence in the team’s chances and called on Ghanaians to unite behind the Black Stars as they seek a strong performance at the tournament.
“All I want is the spirit of the nation behind the team,” he said.
The confirmation of the appearance fee is likely to draw public attention, given the scale of government spending expected around the tournament and the long-running debate over national team bonuses, accountability and transparency in sports financing.
World Cup participation comes with significant logistical and financial demands, including team preparation, travel, accommodation, technical support, medical services, player allowances and match-related operations.
But the issue of player payments has historically remained one of the most sensitive aspects of Ghana’s World Cup campaigns.
For the government and the Ghana Football Association, the challenge will be to ensure that financial commitments to the team are managed transparently while avoiding distractions that could affect preparation.
For the players, the package provides clarity ahead of the tournament.
For supporters, however, the bigger expectation will be performance.
As Ghana prepares for another World Cup campaign, the country will hope that the financial investment translates into discipline, unity and results on the pitch.
