U-17 Women's World Cup: Black Maidens receive per diems but await qualification bonuses, says head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa

Ghana U-17 women's head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa says the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has paid the team’s per diems, but qualification bonuses for reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup remain outstanding.

Adarkwa disclosed this ahead of Black Maidens Round of 16 clash against Argentina on Wednesday in Morocco, as the Black Maidens look to continue their campaign at the tournament.

According to the coach, the team’s financial arrangements in Morocco have largely been settled, with the outstanding qualification bonuses the only payment issue yet to be resolved.

“In terms of per diems, they have done everything here, but what is left is our qualification bonus from the group stage to the knockout stage of the tournament. That is the only one we are waiting for. Apart from that, everything is okay here,” he told Citi Sports.

Kick-off for the game is scheduled at 18:00 GMT.

Adarkwa, however, declined to disclose the amount owed to the players in qualification bonuses.

The Black Maidens will now turn their attention to Argentina as they seek to progress to the quarter-finals and strengthen Ghana’s record at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Ghana have a notable history in the competition, having won bronze at the 2012 edition under former coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani. The team lost to France in the semi-finals before beating Germany in the third-place play-off.

The Black Maidens also reached the quarter-finals in 2014, 2016 and 2018, but subsequently missed several editions before returning to the tournament in 2026.