2026 Budget Boosts Ghana’s Sports Ambitions: GH¢150m for Black Stars’ World Cup Bid, GH¢200m for New Mini Stadia
In a bold move to harness sports as a catalyst for national pride and development, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled key allocations in the 2026 Budget Statement, earmarking GH¢150 million for the Black Stars’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and GH¢200 million for constructing modern mini stadia in three underserved regions.
The announcements, made during Thursday’s parliamentary presentation, signal the Mahama administration’s renewed commitment to elevating Ghana’s sporting infrastructure amid economic recovery efforts.
Fueling the Black Stars’ Global Dream
Dr. Ato Forson highlighted the government’s “sustained investment in sports” as pivotal to the Black Stars’ historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – marking Ghana’s fifth appearance at the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he declared, underscoring the funds’ role in covering training camps, logistics, player welfare, and international friendlies.
This investment comes at a timely juncture, with the official group-stage draw set for December 5 in Washington, DC. The allocation, equivalent to approximately $13.7 million, is expected to bolster the team’s competitiveness following their hard-fought qualification campaign under coach Otto Addo, which culminated in a 1-0 victory over Comoros in October.
Sports enthusiasts and analysts view the funding as a strategic step to avoid past pitfalls, such as logistical challenges that plagued previous World Cup outings, and to nurture talent for long-term success.
Bridging the Infrastructure Gap with Mini Stadia
Complementing the national team’s support, the budget dedicates GH¢200 million toward building three new mini stadia in regions currently devoid of standard sports facilities.
Dr. Ato Forson emphasized that the project targets eight under-equipped areas, including Ahafo, North East, Savannah, Oti, and Western North, with construction slated to commence in 2026.
“Construction of modern stadia will begin in three of the eight regions without such facilities,” the minister stated, framing the initiative as part of a broader push for equitable sports development and youth empowerment.
These facilities are designed not only to host local matches and training sessions but also to foster community engagement, talent scouting, and economic opportunities through sports tourism.
The dual allocations reflect a holistic approach to sports in the 2026 fiscal framework, themed “Reset for Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation.” Beyond immediate preparations, they align with investments in athlete welfare, talent pipelines, and preparations for events like the Commonwealth Games.
As Ghana navigates fiscal discipline and compassion – as described by Dr. Ato Forson – these commitments are poised to inspire a new generation of athletes and unite the nation in pursuit of glory on and off the field.
Stakeholders, including the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and regional sports councils, have welcomed the provisions, calling for transparent implementation to maximize impact.
The full budget statement outlines additional economic pillars, such as job creation and inflation control, painting an optimistic picture of Ghana’s trajectory. Further details on the selected regions for the stadia and World Cup strategy will emerge in the coming weeks.
