By: Belinda Nketia
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned Ghanaians not to let the excitement of the FIFA World Cup turn into a visa problem. He delivered the caution during his second State of the Nation Address on the floor of Parliament on 27th February 2026.
“It is my hope that the FIFA 2026 World Cup will not turn into a ‘visa ban’ for thousands of Ghanaians traveling to America and refusing to return, which could put Ghana back on the U.S. ban list,” President Mahama said.
The President said the government has worked hard to restore Ghana’s five-year non-immigrant visas after previous travel violations led to restrictions. He urged all supporters planning to attend the World Cup to submit visa requests to the American Embassy and return as required.
“We must ensure that everyone who travels returns safely on their visas,” he added.
President Mahama also added that participation in major sporting events is critical for national branding, economic growth, and international prestige.
Ghana’s 2026 sporting calendar beyond the FIFA Men’s World Cup also includes:
- The Black Queens at the Women’s African Cup of Nations.
- A multidisciplinary youth team at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
- Participation in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, reinforcing Ghana’s presence across the Commonwealth.
He concluded by cautioning that responsible travel and compliance with international rules are essential for sustaining Ghana’s hard-earned access to global opportunities in sports.
Ghana was previously placed on the U.S. visa ban list due to violations by travelers. The government has since worked to restore the five-year non-immigrant visas and remove the country from the restricted list.
