2026 World Cup: Return home after tournament - President Mahama cautions Ghanaian fans

President John Mahama has outlined Ghana’s measures to safeguard the travel of fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Addressing Parliament during his State of the Nation speech on Friday, February 27, Mahama detailed the challenges posed by U.S. visa restrictions affecting several African countries.

"Supporters and other people interested in going to support the team would have to submit visa requests to the American Embassy," he said.

"We are being told that we must ensure that supporters who go [to the tournament] return on the visas. It has taken a lot of work to restore Ghana's five-year non-immigrant visas and take us off the ban list.

Mahama urged supporters to comply fully with visa regulations, cautioning that any violations could carry broader diplomatic repercussions.

"It is my hope that this event will not send thousands of Ghanaians to America and get us back on the ban list."

Ghana will make their fifth World Cup appearance, drawn in Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

After early exits in recent tournaments, the four-time African champions are aiming for a stronger showing on football’s biggest stage. The Ghana Football Association confirmed that the team will be based at Bryant University in the U.S. throughout the competition.