ACCRA, Oct 22 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun talks with officials from the United States and Canada to streamline visa arrangements for Ghanaian football fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the meetings, held on Tuesday in Accra, aimed to ensure “mutual understanding on expectations and requirements” and to improve coordination between the countries.
The Ghanaian delegation included the Technical Advisor to the Sports Minister, Betty Krosbi Mensah; President of the Ghana Football Association and CAF Vice President, Kurt Okraku; and senior officials from both the Foreign Affairs and Sports ministries.
The US team was led by Acting Ambassador Rolf Olson, while Acting Canadian High Commissioner Dennis Roussel headed the Canadian delegation.
Discussions focused on enhancing visa facilitation and developing clear roadmaps to support Ghanaian supporters, officials and players travelling to the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Ablakwa said the talks also explored “special arrangements for football fans, officials and the team outside regular visa application processes.”
He welcomed the recent reversal of US visa restrictions that had limited Ghanaians to single-entry visas, describing the change as “timely” since it would allow fans to travel freely between the three host nations.
The minister expressed appreciation to Okraku for presenting Black Stars replica jerseys to the diplomatic teams and revealed that a similar engagement with officials from the Mexican Embassy would take place on Friday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — the first time the tournament will be held across three countries. Ghana qualified for the competition after securing a place in the final rounds of the African qualifiers.
