Players selected for the Black Stars‘ final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are set to receive an appearance fee of $100,000 each. This figure was confirmed by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams during an interview, addressing previous speculation regarding the payment structure for the upcoming tournament.
Minister Adams stated that suggestions to increase the amount were rejected, despite the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major foreign currencies. He explained that if the cedi had weakened, there would not have been calls to reduce the dollar equivalent, thus maintaining the current figure.
Evolution of appearance fees
The appearance fees for Black Stars players have seen an increase over the years. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, players received $50,000. This amount rose to approximately $82,500 for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
By the 2014 tournament in Brazil, the fee reached $100,000. This figure remained consistent for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and will again be applied for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The confirmation of the appearance fee comes as the Black Stars are in a training camp in Cardiff, Wales, preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Twenty-eight players are currently in camp, with the final squad to be trimmed to 26 before the official submission deadline on Monday, June 1.
Fundraising efforts for the World Cup campaign
Ghana’s fundraising campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has received substantial contributions from both state institutions and private companies. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been among the largest donors as the fundraising drive nears its conclusion.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem disclosed that the BoG contributed GH¢5 million to the campaign, while the GRA transferred US$300,000 into a dedicated dollar account. Other significant contributions include Timeline and Innovation Company Limited, which committed an additional GH¢1 million, bringing its total support to GH¢2 million, and SIC Insurance, which joined with GH¢1 million.
The National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) also contributed GH¢500,000. Ing. Solomon Twum Barimah, Managing Director of SIC Insurance, mentioned that the company is also preparing additional life insurance packages for the national team.
The fundraising committee has established dedicated accounts in cedis, dollars, pounds, and euros at the central bank to facilitate contributions from both domestic and international donors. This arrangement aims to simplify participation and reduce uncertainty regarding the value of foreign currency contributions, especially with recent exchange rate stability.
Mr. Ampem clarified that the committee’s primary role is mobilization. Once the fundraising concludes, the collected funds will be transferred to the Ministry of Sports for management and deployment. The committee anticipates completing the drive within two weeks.
Dr. Felix Osum Boafo, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at Timeline and Innovation Company Limited, stated that their contributions were driven by corporate solidarity with the Black Stars and a desire to support Ghana’s participation on the global stage. This fundraising model aims to alleviate the direct financial burden on the national budget, particularly as Ghana operates under a reform program supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Their campaign is scheduled to commence against Panama in Toronto on June 17.
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