President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians planning to travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to comply strictly with immigration regulations and ensure they return home after the tournament.
Addressing Parliament during his State of the Nation Address on Friday, February 27, he said Ghana could not afford a repeat of past incidents where some citizens overstayed their visas during major international events.
According to him, such actions place the country’s international reputation at risk and could reverse progress made in restoring favourable travel arrangements for Ghanaians.
He noted that Ghana has recently regained important travel privileges, including access to five-year non-immigrant visas, following sustained diplomatic engagement. However, he warned that these gains could be jeopardised if supporters fail to respect visa conditions during the World Cup.
The President further indicated that authorities in host countries would be monitoring compliance closely and that widespread violations could see Ghana reconsidered for restrictive travel measures.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Ghana’s Black Stars expected to attract strong fan support. The team will camp at Bryant University and face Panama, England and Croatia in the group stage of the tournament.
Mahama emphasised that while the tournament presents an opportunity for national pride and celebration, it also demands responsibility from all travelling supporters.