OKRAKU BACKS WORLD CUP DREAM, INSISTS GHANA IS BUILDING A COMPETITIVE SIDE

By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | June 10, 2026

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, says Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflect a long-term ambition to compete at the highest level of international football.

Ghana, making its fifth World Cup appearance since 2006, has been drawn in Group F alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, and will be seeking its first knockout-stage qualification since 2010.

Okraku insists the Black Stars are not participating merely to make up the numbers but are working toward becoming a globally competitive team.

“You can never rule out any nation in football. We believe in this team, and we are putting in the work to succeed,” he said.

He pointed out that football history is full of unexpected outcomes, where underdog teams have overcome stronger opponents to achieve remarkable success on the global stage.

The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17, followed by a high-profile clash with England, before concluding the group stage against Croatia.

The 2026 tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to be one of the most widely viewed sporting events in history.

Commentary | Boakye Stephen

Ghana’s World Cup ambitions reflect both sporting optimism and the reality of rebuilding cycles in national football. While expectations of winning the tournament remain ambitious, consistent investment in player development, tactical stability, and youth systems will determine whether Ghana can close the gap with football’s elite nations over time.