2026 World Cup: The time is now — Kurt Okraku challenges Black Stars ahead of campaign

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has delivered a stirring message of unity and belief as the Black Stars prepare for their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Speaking at the team’s official send-off ceremony ahead of the tournament, Okraku urged Ghanaians to rally behind the national team and embrace the ambition of a strong campaign on the global stage.

Addressing players, officials and supporters, the GFA president summed up his message in a short but emphatic declaration:

“In this fifth time, we say the time is now.”

The Black Stars head into the tournament aiming to move past a difficult recent history at the World Cup, having suffered back-to-back group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022, following their memorable quarter-final run in 2010.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, setting up a challenging but intriguing path through the group stage.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto, before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group match will be against Croatia on June 27.