Ghana could secure a minimum payout of $10.5 million if the Black Stars qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following FIFA’s approval of a record $727 million prize and support package for the expanded tournament. The new prize structure, endorsed by the FIFA Council, represents a 50 percent increase over the prize money awarded at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and reflects the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. The 2026 finals will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Under the revised framework, $655 million will be distributed as performance-based prize money to Participating Member Associations (PMAs). Teams finishing between 33rd and 48th place will each receive $9 million, while those ranked 17th to 32nd will earn $11 million. With Ghana’s potential placement, the Black Stars are assured of at least $10.5 million simply for participating in the tournament. The approved package underscores FIFA’s commitment to rewarding nations for their participation and achievement in the global showcase, further raising the stakes for teams seeking to make their mark at the 2026 World Cup. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Team Nigeria etched their name into the record books at the 2025 Africa Basketball Festival (ABF) on Sunday, December 14, clinching their maiden championship after a series of hard-fought victories against Ghana, Liberia, and China. The historic win was especially momentous as it marked Nigeria’s first victory over Ghana at the ABF, ending Ghana’s formidable three-year reign in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. The tournament’s opening clash, held on December 12, saw Nigeria edge out host nation Ghana 52–48 in a tense and closely contested encounter, a result that set the stage for Nigeria’s remarkable campaign and shifted the balance of power in the tournament. Despite facing setbacks, including a narrow three-point loss to Team Lebanon in their second game, Nigeria stayed resilient. They rebounded with a gritty 47–44 win over Team Liberia to stay in contention for the title. Nigeria’s crowning moment came in their final match, where they delivered a commanding 114–37 victory over Team China to seal their championship run. The fifth edition of the Africa Basketball Festival celebrated its milestone anniversary with five days of thrilling action, featuring five participating countries, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, China, and Lebanon—and five fashion brands. The event drew over 5,000 spectators, who enjoyed a dynamic blend of high-octane basketball, live music performances, and vibrant fashion shows. The 2025 ABF was made possible through sponsorship from Glico General Insurance, GTS Drilling, Indomie Noodles, GTV Sports Plus, Points Africa, Warrior King Watches, Lamborghini Energy Drink, The Luckiest Africa, Minimie Atsomo, Lush Hair, Verna Water, the Ghana Basketball Association, Nkonkonsa.com, Awuah Sports, Sporty FM, Nescafé, and the Ghana Tourism Authority. The festival was produced by RITE Sports Services and hosted by the University of Ghana Sports & Wellness Directorate. For more highlights and updates, follow @RealABF on TikTok, Instagram, X, and Facebook. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, GB Jones, the tournament’s Chief Safety and Security Officer, has issued a timely reminder to football fans across the globe: safety comes first. Speaking at a forum organised by the Africa Center of the Atlantic Council, Jones urged supporters to familiarize themselves with stadium safety regulations well ahead of next year’s event, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Jones highlighted that while the World Cup is renowned for its colourful celebrations and energetic crowds, certain popular fan items will not be allowed inside stadiums. “With respect to what to bring to the World Cup, we want you to bring your passion, but leave your pyro,” he emphasized, referencing the ban on fireworks, smoke devices, and other pyrotechnic items. “We don’t want the fireworks with the smoke or the pyrotechnicians in the stadium. But we want to embrace the passion.” He explained that these restrictions are not meant to diminish fan culture but to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone in attendance. “Please understand our prohibited items include those which will be listed on our website or on the ticket information. Know what you can and cannot bring to the stadium,” Jones advised, encouraging fans to check FIFA’s official website and ticketing platforms for a comprehensive list of banned items to avoid any last-minute disappointment. Despite the new safety measures, Jones was quick to reassure fans that FIFA remains committed to supporting vibrant, fan-driven energy. “We want to ensure that you can get all your items into all the stadiums. Fans should bring what will help them celebrate, but within the limits set for safety,” he concluded. As the world counts down to the kickoff of football’s biggest event, the message from the top is clear: let the passion flow, but always put safety first. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has voiced concerns about Ghana’s prospects in their Group L encounter with Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the European nation as a particularly dangerous opponent. Ghana has been drawn alongside Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L and will face the Croatians after their matches with Panama and England. Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Mr. Adams singled out Croatia for their tactical versatility, noting the unique challenge this poses for the Black Stars. “Everybody knows how dangerous Croatia have been in previous World Cups. They have had different strategies. It doesn’t necessarily mean we should go and read their previous strategies as part of our preparation. They are a team that can change their style about three times within 90 minutes of play,” he said. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first-ever 48-team tournament. The expanded format will feature 104 matches and a record nine automatic qualification slots for Africa. The upcoming tournament will be Ghana’s fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars have previously competed in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022 editions, with their best run coming in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals in South Africa. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The tension was palpable at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as nations around the world tuned in for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. For Ghanaian fans, anticipation quickly turned to excitement and determination when the Black Stars were drawn into Group L, alongside football powerhouses England and Croatia, as well as Panama. This group promises high-octane competition, with Ghana needing to navigate formidable opponents to keep their dreams of a deep World Cup run alive. Memories of 2010 still linger, when Ghana came agonizingly close to becoming the first Sub-Saharan African nation to reach the semi-finals in South Africa. That historic run remains their best performance yet, a source of both pride and motivation. The 2026 tournament marks a new chapter for Ghana, as it will be their fifth World Cup appearance. This edition is particularly special, as it is co-hosted across three countries, the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and features an expanded lineup of 48 nations instead of the traditional 32. The event’s grand scale was evident in the draw, with a screenshot from the live event displaying all 12 groups, from A to L, capturing the global spirit of the competition. Despite recent setbacks, including a lackluster showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a disappointing campaign at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghanaian supporters have reasons for renewed optimism. Under Coach Otto Addo, the team’s performances during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers improved dramatically. Ghana dominated Group I, overcoming Mali, Chad, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Madagascar, signaling a possible resurgence at just the right time. Now, with their group-stage opponents revealed, the Black Stars are set for another shot at World Cup glory. The road ahead is challenging, but Ghana’s journey in Group L promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The award has been introduced this year by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, designated for a person who has “taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and “united people across the world”. It was widely expected that Trump, who arrived at the ceremony with Infantino and has made several public appearances with him in recent months, would be the winner. That was confirmed at the ceremony in Washington DC on Friday. As well as receiving a large golden trophy, Trump was also given a medal and certificate by Infantino before making a speech. Trump stated he had saved “tens of millions of lives” through diplomatic interventions and had “stopped wars happening just before they started”. “This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said, before claiming that the 2026 World Cup has set a new record for ticket sales. “Gianni has done an incredible job. It is a nice tribute to you and the game of football, or as we call it soccer. It is beyond the numbers we thought were possible,” Trump said. “The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago; now we are the hottest country in the world right now.” The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and will take place between June 11 and July 19. Trump later returned to the stage alongside Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to perform the ceremonial opening to the draw. The three leaders drew the balls of their respective nations, which had already been assigned their groups. Afterwards, the trio posed for a selfie taken by Infantino. Mexico are in Group A – and will play in the tournament’s opening match – while Canada are in Group B and USA feature in Group D. Trump, after repeating his comments about ticket sales, joked about the name clash between American football and what Americans generally call soccer. “We have to find another name for the NFL,” Trump said. “This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football. It doesn’t make sense that we call it soccer.” | Getty Images (Pic): Trump and Infantino have appeared together at many public events in recent months Analysis: A draw with a political feel Staged just a mile from the White House, this is a World Cup draw with a distinctly political feel. The glittering ceremony is at the Kennedy Center, the famous Washington arts venue now chaired by US President Donald Trump after he overhauled its board this year. Alongside stars from football, US sports and show business, Trump was in attendance, as will the leaders of the other two co-hosts – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. Proceedings, however, seem to have been planned with the US president very much in mind. Seventies group Village People were booked to play YMCA, a Trump favourite that is regularly heard at his campaign rallies. And, in a break with tradition, the draw ceremony featured the awarding of a new Fifa Peace Prize. Such gestures will only underline the alliance forged between the US president and Fifa’s Infantino, who announced the award last month, saying that Trump deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, and enthusiastically praising his policies. For critics, such moves are a threat to Fifa’s commitment to political neutrality, one enshrined in its statutes, and risk turning the draw – and the tournament itself – into propaganda tools. Those critics believe Infantino and Trump are effectively too close for comfort, and that it sends a message that world football’s governing body is aligning with the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement, and endorsing what many feel is a divisive administration. Asked about the new peace award, amid reports that the Fifa Council was not consulted about it, one senior official at the governing body told BBC Sport: “Why can’t this be bigger than the Nobel Peace Prize? Football has huge global support, so it’s right that it recognises extraordinary efforts to bring about peace every year.” They pointed to the fact that in 2019 there was no such controversy when Fifa gave the president of Argentina an award to honour his contribution to football, and said the organisation deserves praise for endorsing peace in a divided world. Source: bbc.com

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, has taken significant steps to ensure that Ghanaian football fans can support the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with greater ease. In a series of high-level meetings held in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa met separately with officials from the US Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to initiate discussions on visa facilitation for supporters traveling to the tournament. The engagements brought together representatives from Ghana’s key sports and foreign affairs institutions, including the Technical Advisor to the Minister for Youth and Sports, Miss Betty Krosbi Mensah; Ghana Football Association (GFA) President and CAF Vice President, Kurt Okraku; and senior directors from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Sports. The US delegation was led by Acting Ambassador Rolf Olson, while Acting High Commissioner Dennis Roussel headed the Canadian team. According to Mr. Ablakwa, the purpose of these meetings was to foster mutual understanding of expectations and requirements, improve coordination, and develop roadmaps for streamlined visa processes. “These engagements are about building practical frameworks that make it easier for Ghanaian fans to travel, celebrate, and support the Black Stars during the World Cup,” he noted. The discussions explored the possibility of special visa arrangements for football supporters and delegations—separate from the standard application process. The Minister also welcomed the recent reversal of US visa restrictions, which now allows for multiple-entry visas, enabling flexible travel between the tournament’s host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The meetings ended on a cordial note, with GFA President Kurt Okraku presenting Black Stars replica jerseys to US and Canadian officials as gestures of appreciation. Mr. Ablakwa revealed that similar discussions were scheduled with the Mexican Embassy, completing Ghana’s diplomatic outreach to all three host countries. This initiative underscores Ghana’s proactive diplomacy and commitment to ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for its fans and officials as preparations for the global football showpiece intensify. Source: Apexnewsgh.com