Toronto, Canada – Ghana’s Black Stars have received a timely morale boost on the eve of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang leading a government delegation to visit the team at their hotel in Toronto.
The Vice President met with players, coaches and officials on Tuesday, June 16, delivering an inspiring address as the team put the finishing touches on preparations for Wednesday’s Group L opener against Panama at BMO Field.
A Message of Unity and Sacrifice
Addressing the squad, Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the importance of teamwork and collective responsibility, urging the players to place the interests of the nation above individual ambitions.
“I will encourage you to do even more. I think that group work is part of the strength in sports; it’s about cooperation,” she told the players. “Regardless of what your strength is, it becomes even stronger when it is played alongside somebody else, and if in the process you make someone else even stronger, you succeed even more.”
The Vice President also reminded the team of the immense support they enjoy from Ghanaians both at home and abroad, stressing that the entire nation would be following their journey with hope and expectation.
“Ghana is rooting for you. Regardless of where Ghanaians are, whether they are in the diaspora, in the markets, on the farms or in the fields, they are rooting for you,” she said. “Ghana is behind you. Ghana has high expectations of you.”
She further encouraged the players to embrace sacrifice for the greater good of the team and the country.
“There are times when you may lose yourself in the interest of the group. That is very important. In the end, it’s about the group’s success. It’s about the success of Ghana,” she told the squad.
Concluding her address, the Vice President expressed strong confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on football’s biggest stage.
“We are counting on you. We know you will rise to the occasion and you will not let us down,” she said.
A Crucial Opening Fixture
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for the Black Stars, who are seeking to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2010, when they bowed out in the quarter-finals after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Uruguay.
Wednesday’s Group L opener against Panama is widely seen as a must-win encounter, with Ghana also facing heavyweights England and Croatia later in the group stage. The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (11:00 p.m. GMT) at BMO Field in Toronto and will be the first senior international meeting between the two nations.
Team News and Challenges
The Black Stars arrived in Toronto on Monday after completing their final preparations in the United States, where the squad had been based since their friendly against Wales in Cardiff. Head coach Carlos Queiroz and his technical staff used the training camp to sharpen tactics, improve fitness and strengthen team chemistry.
However, Ghana have been dealt an early blow after midfielder Thomas Partey’s visa application to enter Canada was refused, leaving him unavailable for the Panama match. The team will also be without talisman Mohammed Kudus, who misses the World Cup due to injury.
Despite these setbacks, Ghana will count on Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo to lead a strong attack, alongside Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams and Leicester City captain Jordan Ayew, who will feature in his third World Cup.
Ghana are making their fifth appearance at the World Cup and will be looking to make a strong start before facing England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, and concluding their group fixtures against Croatia on June 27.
Government Support for the Team
The Vice President’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the Black Stars throughout the tournament. She was accompanied by a government delegation, and the visit was intended to convey the goodwill and support of both the government and the Ghanaian people.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang is also expected to join Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to watch Ghana’s opening match against Panama in Toronto.
As the Black Stars prepare to step onto the pitch at BMO Field, they carry with them the hopes of a nation—and the words of their Vice President ringing in their ears: “We are counting on you.”
