U.S. eases travel fears for Ghanaians ahead of World Cup

By Francis Kyei

New York, — Ghanaian football fans and officials are expected to benefit from new U.S. travel and event-planning measures as the United States intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

The tournament, scheduled for June and July 2026, will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host cities, 11 of them in the United States. FIFA expects the event to attract millions of visitors, including large contingents from Africa.

U.S. authorities have begun rolling out a visa facilitation initiative for World Cup visitors, aimed at reducing long processing delays that have traditionally affected applicants from Africa, including Ghana. While applicants will still be required to meet standard visa conditions, officials say the program will prioritise interview scheduling for confirmed ticket holders.

For Ghanaian supporters, the move could ease access to matches involving the Black Stars, should the four-time African champions qualify for the tournament. Ghana reached the knockout stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and remains one of Africa’s most widely followed teams globally.

“The World Cup is not just a sporting event; it is a major travel and economic operation,” a U.S. official involved in planning said, noting that coordination with foreign missions has already begun ahead of anticipated demand.

Beyond fan travel, the expanded tournament is expected to open opportunities for Ghanaian journalists, creatives and small businesses, particularly in media coverage, cultural showcases and fan-zone activities planned across U.S. host cities such as New York/New Jersey, Washington, Atlanta and Dallas.

Major League Soccer (MLS), which continues to attract Ghanaian players, will pause its 2026 season during the World Cup, with league officials saying the break will allow players to feature for their national teams without domestic competition conflicts.

Security planning is also a major focus. U.S. federal agencies are coordinating with local authorities on crowd management, cybersecurity and transport safety, an issue closely watched by African governments following security concerns at large global events.