The Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports has thrown its full weight behind the national fundraising campaign aimed at raising $30 million to adequately prepare the Black Stars for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Chairman of the Committee, Ernest Norgbey, made the declaration on Thursday, March 26, 2026, during a press conference in Parliament, where the committee officially endorsed President John Dramani Mahama’s initiative to mobilise resources from corporate Ghana, individuals, and the general public.
“The committee fully endorses the national fundraising campaign to mobilize resources to prepare the Black Stars for the 2026 FIFA World Cup adequately,” Norgbey stated.
The fundraising drive, launched by President Mahama on March 20, 2026, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra under the theme “One Nation, One Team,” seeks to complement government efforts and ensure the senior national team receives the necessary financial backing for high-level preparations, including international friendly matches, logistics, player welfare, and overall camp expenses.
Norgbey emphasised that the $30 million target is both justified and necessary, given the huge financial demands of participating at the global stage. He noted that while the government has already allocated GH¢150 million in the 2026 national budget as seed money for the Black Stars’ preparations, additional resources are critical to bridge gaps, especially since FIFA’s participation fees and other disbursements may not arrive early enough.
The Ashaiman MP described the campaign as a patriotic call that requires the collective support of all Ghanaians to help the Black Stars compete favourably and make the nation proud at the expanded 48-team tournament.
As of March 26, 2026, the campaign has already received significant pledges and donations exceeding $12 million in cash, with notable contributions from corporate entities such as Engineers & Planners ($5 million), Goldfields Ghana ($2 million plus an additional $1 million pledge), Game Technology ($2 million), and others. Celebrities including Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have also made personal donations running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports urged all stakeholders including the private sector, civil society, and ordinary citizens, to contribute generously to the cause, describing it as a national duty.
Norgbey assured that the committee would continue to provide the necessary legislative oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of all funds raised for the Black Stars’ campaign.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off in June 2026, with Ghana hoping to build on past appearances and deliver a strong performance on the global stage.