‘We must not go back on the US visa ban list’ – President Mahama appeals to Ghanaian supporters
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to Ghanaian supporters planning to travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to respect their visa conditions and return home after the tournament, warning that failure to do so could jeopardise Ghana’s restored travel privileges.
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.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States and Canada, and is expected to attract thousands of Ghanaian fans eager to support the Black Stars. However, President Mahama cautioned that the opportunity must not be abused.
“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.
Ghana’s national team will be based at Bryant University as their training camp during the tournament. The Black Stars have been drawn in a competitive group alongside Panama, England and Croatia, raising expectations of strong Ghanaian support in the stands.
