Kyei Manu 
Story By: Kyei Manu
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa on October 22, 2025 held a meeting with officials of the US Embassy and Canadian High Commission to commence discussions on visa arrangements for Ghanaian football fans who will be travelling to the USA, Canada and Mexico to support the senior national team, the Black Stars following their qualification to the Mundial next year June.
The meeting, convened under the instructions of the North Tong MP, saw the Ghanaian side been represented by the Technical Advisor to the Minister for Sports, Hon. Betty Krosbi Mensah, GFA President and CAF Vice President, Kurt Okraku who also doubles as the FIFA Anti-Doping and Racism chairman and Senior Directors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
On the otherhand, the US team was led by the acting Ambassador, Rolf Olson whiles the acting Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Dennis Roussel led the Canadian delegation.
However, the objectives of the engagement included ensuring there was mutual understanding of all sides (both Ghana USA and Canada) on expectations, requirements, enhanced coordination, improved visa facilitation and developing a clear working roadmaps to maximize satisfaction.
A discussed was held on the need for special arrangements for football fans, the media, officials and the team outside regular visa application processes.
The deliberations also brought about the recent reversal of USA’s visa restrictions which had imposed single-entry visas on Ghanaians, was deemed as timely, as that will pave the way for multiple-entry visas allowing Ghanaian fans to re-enter the US as they please, after watching games in the two other host nations of Canada and Mexico.
Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa after a fruitful meeting, expressed his gratitude on behalf of Ghanaians to the USA and Canada Embassy for honoring his call.
The GFA President, Kurt Okraku therefore, seized the opportunity to present replica jersey of the Black Stars to the Foreign Affairs Minister.
A similar engagement is expected between officials from the Mexican Embassy on Friday October 24, 2025 at the Foreign Affairs office.
The Black Stars secured their fifth qualification to the FIFA World Cup after beating Comoros 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium a few days back.
