By Kwame Bediako
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has announced that the anticipated $9 million prize from Ghana’s Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will flow directly into the new Sports Fund, marking a strategic shift toward sustainable sports development.
This move positions the fund as a cornerstone for harnessing international competition earnings, with the minister stressing its role in building infrastructure that outlives the tournament itself.
Adams shared these details in a recent interview with Citi Sports, framing the initiative as a proactive response to the expanded 48-team format’s lucrative rewards.
Under the revamped World Cup structure, every qualifying team pockets at least $10.5 million, $9 million for group-stage entry and $1.5 million for preparations, with Ghana channeling the core prize money into the fund upon parliamentary approval.
Adams highlighted how this revenue stream influenced the fund’s creation, noting that it addresses long-standing gaps in sports investment.
“The bill we presented to Parliament was driven by World Cup preparations,” he said, underscoring the government’s intent to professionalize earnings from global events.
By routing tournament proceeds through this structured mechanism, Ghana aims to fund facilities and programs that directly stem from Black Stars’ success, a departure from past ad-hoc spending.
Adams emphasized transparency and impact: “Unless unavoidable costs arise, the $9 million goes straight into the fund for structured use, creating infrastructure tied to our World Cup run for the first time.”
This approach promises accountability, ensuring revenues fuel grassroots development and elite training rather than evaporating post-tournament.
The minister’s vision extends to a tangible legacy from the 2026 event across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with showcase projects to highlight Ghana’s gains.
Adams rallied national support behind the Black Stars, pointing to escalating incentives: an extra $3 million for reaching the round of 32, $4 million more for the round of 16, and potentially higher if they push toward the semifinals.
“The further we advance, the bigger the returns, we can reach the top four,” he declared confidently.
This fund represents a pivotal moment for Ghanaian sports, potentially revolutionizing how the nation capitalizes on football’s global stage to foster enduring growth.
