2026 World Cup: Black Stars will not be mere participants - Sports Minister Kofi Adams

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has expressed strong belief that Ghana’s Black Stars are heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the quality and mindset to challenge any opponent.

Ghana will compete at the 23rd edition of the tournament, set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Drawn in Group L, the Black Stars will face Panama, England and Croatia as they look to improve on disappointing group-stage exits in both 2014 in Brazil and 2022 in Qatar.

Despite those setbacks, Adams insists the current squad should not be viewed merely as participants, but as genuine competitors capable of making an impact.

"We are not going there as mere participants, but we are going there as a team that is equally capable of winning, whether people believe it or not," he told TV3.

Ghana begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group match will be against Croatia on June 27.

The Black Stars will be hoping to go beyond the group stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final run at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.