Ghanaian football fans and officials planning to travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a major boost after the United States confirmed it will accelerate visa processing as part of preparations for the tournament.
The assurance was given following high-level bilateral talks between Ghana and the United States held in Accra, amid growing concerns over prolonged delays in securing visa appointments.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that the issue of visa accessibility featured prominently during discussions with a US delegation led by the acting US Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson.
According to Ablakwa, both sides acknowledged the urgency of resolving appointment backlogs, especially with the World Cup approaching.
“On World Cup preparations, we were assured that special measures have been put in place to expedite visa applications. This is also expected to address the current delays in securing visa appointments, which we all agreed must be fixed,” the minister said.
With Ghana scheduled to play its group-stage matches on American soil, visa availability has become a critical concern for supporters, team officials, and other stakeholders hoping to attend the tournament.
The US Embassy in Accra is expected to brief the media in the coming days on the new World Cup-related visa initiatives, which are aimed at streamlining the application process and reducing disruptions for eligible Ghanaian travellers.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars will face Panama on June 17, England on June 23, and Croatia on June 27, with matches scheduled to be played in the United States and Canada.
