As he marks ten years in office, Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, has singled out Ghana as one of the Member Associations that has effectively utilised FIFA development support to drive infrastructure growth and competitive success.
In an exclusive statement focused on Ghana, Infantino commended the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its strategic use of the FIFA Forward Programme and other support initiatives.
“Ghana has been one of the Member Associations who have made excellent use of the FIFA Forward and other FIFA Support Programmes over the years.
Infrastructure Boost at Ghanaman Centre
Infantino highlighted major upgrades at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, describing it as a clear example of effective investment.
“The national technical centre, Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, now has new floodlights, a 30-bed accommodation for teams and two new pitches (artificial and natural turf).”
He also pointed to expanded development efforts beyond southern Ghana with the inauguration of a new technical facility in Winkogo, aimed at decentralising talent development.
“Another technical centre has been inaugurated in Winkogo, in northern part of the country. Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has been working hard to ensure increased participation, especially among women, and with help from the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.”
Women’s Football Acceleration
Women’s football development was another area singled out for praise. Infantino credited FIFA-backed support for the National Women’s League as instrumental in strengthening Ghana’s female football structure.
“Women’s Football has been accelerated with support from FIFA for the National Women’s League, which has played a pivotal role in the Black Queens’ qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 and in 2026.”
The domestic league investment has strengthened the pipeline feeding into the Ghana women’s national football team, enhancing competitiveness at continental level.
Back-to-Back World Cup Qualifications
On the men’s side, Infantino praised Ghana’s consistency on the global stage.
“Another impressive result has been the successive qualification of the men’s senior national team to the FIFA World Cup, first in Qatar in 2022 and now Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer.”
The Ghana national football team featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Infantino’s remarks reinforce Ghana’s standing within FIFA’s global development framework, highlighting how structured investment in infrastructure, grassroots initiatives, and women’s football has translated into both developmental progress and competitive achievement over the past decade.
