President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to Ghanaians planning to attend the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to return after the tournament.
Addressing Parliament during his State of the Nation Address on Friday, February 27, the President acknowledged past instances where Ghanaians who travelled abroad for major sporting events overstayed their visas, creating diplomatic complications.
However, he cautioned that the excitement surrounding the World Cup must not come at a cost to Ghana’s international reputation.
“Supporters and other people interested in going to support the team would have to submit visa requests to the American Embassy,” he said.
He revealed that Ghana had worked extensively to reverse restrictions that had previously affected travel to the United States, including efforts to restore access to longer-term visas.
“We are being told that we must ensure that supporters who go [to the tournament] return on the visas. It has taken a lot of work to restore Ghana's five-year non-immigrant visas and take us off the ban list.
“It is my hope that this event will not send thousands of Ghanaians to America and get us back on the ban list.”
The President’s remarks highlight concerns that visa overstays by fans could undermine diplomatic gains and strain relations with host countries, particularly the United States.