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Former Sports Minister backs Otto Addo ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Former Sports Minister backs Otto Addo ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Honourable Nii Lante Vanderpuye has brushed aside claims and criticism that Ghana Black Stars needs a new competent coach for their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign instead of Otto Addo.

He believes the Former Burrusia Dortmond trainer is fit and capable of leading the Stars for the task ahead in USA, Canada and Mexico in June – July 2026.

“I disagree with people calling for Coach Otto Addo’s removal ahead of the World Cup” the former Sports Minister hinted.

This is the second consecutive time Otto Addo has qualified the Black Stars for the FIFA Mundial.

In 2022, he guided the Stars to qualify for their 4th FIFA World Cup, eliminating strong rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a decisive qualifier.

Though the Black Stars managed to win one and lost two group matches in Qatar, to some Ghanaians, it was a hard fought battle.

His second stint with the Black Stars has created mixed feelings among soccer loving Ghanaians.

Otto Addo had an amazing show during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, winning six and drawing one in eight games.

Despite this remarkable record, some critics are still calling for his exit but Nii Lante Vanderpuye has absolute confidence in the coach.

Bibiani Gold Stars appoint Fritz Markus Schmid as new head coach

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Bibiani Gold Stars appoint Fritz Markus Schmid as new head coach

Ghana Premier League side, Bibiani Gold Stars Sporting Club have announced the capturing of Swiss tactician Fritz Markus Schmid as their new head coach.

Fritz Schmid, according to the defending league champions, penned down a two-year deal.

“We’re pleased to share that Swiss international Fritz Markus Schmid has joined us as our new Head Coach, signing a two-year contract with the club,” a club statement read on Monday.

Fritz has a lot of experience under his sleeves, having worked with prominent sides such as Tottenham Hotspur, FC Basel and Austria National Team.

“Coach Fritz comes with deep experience at the highest levels of the game. He has previously worked as an assistant coach with Tottenham Hotspur, FC Basel, and the Austria National Team, and later served as Head Coach of the New Zealand Men’s National Team.

“He joins the Miners as we begin an exciting new chapter focused on ambition, steady growth, and long-term success,” the statement concluded.

More recently, he played a key role in guiding Ghanaian outfit Kotoku Royals to gain promotion into the Ghana Premier League.

Fritz travelled with the team when they defeated Hohoe United 1-0 in the Ghana Premier League over the weekend.

2026 FIFA World Cup winner to take home 50m dollars

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2026 FIFA World Cup winner to take home 50m dollars

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The ultimate winner of the much touted 2026 FIFA World Cup will smile all the way to the bank with a whooping 50 million dollars aside their gold medals.

Per the break-down of the 2026 World Cup money released by FIFA recently, the runners up will receive a cash prize of 33 million dollars.

The 3rd and 4th place teams will take home 29 million dollars and 27 million dollars respectively.

This is obviously a massive improvement of the previous FIFA World Cup cash prizes. The 48 qualified teams automatically receive 1.5 million dollars for preparations ahead of the tournament.

Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the last edition of the FIFA World Cup held in Qatar in 2022. Both teams settled on a 3-3 draw after a gruelling extra time.

In all eight countries have won the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930 on the South America soil in Uruguay.

Brazil has won the highest – five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

Germany has won it four times in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.

Italy has also emerged winners on four occasions in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006.

Uruguay has clinched the glittering FIFA World Cup trophy twice in 1930 and 1950.

France equally boast of lifting the World Cup two times in 1998 and 2018.

The following three countries have only won the trophy once: England (1966), Spain (2010) and Argentina (2022).

Black Stars to test strength against Germany ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Black Stars to test strength against Germany ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

Skipper Jordan Ayew and his Black Stars teammates will pitch strength against Germany in an international friendly match on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Stuttgart, Germany.

This forms part of Black Stars preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will take place in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Coach Otto Addo and his men failed to qualify for the AFCON 2025 slated for Morocco after an abysmal performance in their group comprising Angola, Sudan and Niger.

As such, they will be missed from the continent’s flagship competition for the first time since 2004 that they were not present in Tunisia AFCON.

To many, this year’s AFCON would have been the best preparatory grounds for the Stars before they storm the FIFA World Cup next year.

However, the GFA and Black Stars management committee are leaving nothing to chance in their bid to put the Black Stars players into good shape.

Hence, the upcoming friendly match against former world champions, Germany.

Ghana have engaged Germany twice out of their previous four FIFA World Cup appearances.

In 2010 in South Africa, Black Stars lost 1-0 to Germany in a Group D match. Both sides met again in Group G of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The grueling encounter ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw before the Germans went ahead to clinch the ultimate FIFA World Cup.

Sports and Recreation Minister meets Asamoah Gyan to discuss grassroot football development

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Sports and Recreation Minister meets Asamoah Gyan to discuss grassroot football development

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Honourable Kofi Iddi Adams certainly has high hopes of developing sports, particulary football from all angles.

Topmost on his agenda is how to collaborate with experts to uplift grassroot football in order to unearth great talents for the various national teams.

It was as a result of this move that he has met with Ghana’s top goal scorer of all time Asamoah Gyan in his office in Accra to deliberate on pertinent issues that can help transform football at the lower level.

“Yesterday, I had the honour of hosting Ghana’s football legend, Asamoah Gyan, a man whose name echoes across continents, not just for goals scored, but for the hope he inspired in a generation”.

“Our discussion focused on deepening grassroots sports development and leveraging his wealth of experience across football and philanthropy”.

“His continued passion for youth, sports, and community impact remains unmatched, and we are excited about the role he can play in our national strategy”.

These were the words of Honourable Kofi Adams after Asamoah Gyan together with his senior brother, Baffour Gyan and manager Samuel Anim Addo paid a courtesy call on the Sports Minister.

For scoring 51 goals including 5 world cup goals for the Black Stars, the Sports Minister forever remains grateful and proud of Asamoah Gyan’s unmatched impact.

“Asamoah Gyan’s legacy is still being written this time, off the pitch. And we’re proud to walk that journey with him” the Sports Minister concluded.

GFA President explores areas for collaboration in USA ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

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GFA President explores areas for collaboration in USA ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

In their bid to ensure that the Black Stars trip to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be fruitful and second to none, GFA President, Kurt Okraku and his crew who went for the world cup draw are putting in place the necessary measures in USA.

“I paid a working visit to Destination DC as part of efforts to explore areas of mutual interest and strategic collaboration ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico”

‘With preparations now accelerating, the Football Association is seeking global partnerships that can enhance Ghana’s presence, visibility and operational readiness during the global showpiece next summer”.

The Ghana Football Association President posted this on his facebook wall some days after the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.

When Footydreamsgh visited the GFA’s headquarters on Thursday, December 11, 2025, we gathered that the FA’s President, General Secretary and some other members who attended the world cup draw were still not back from USA.

They are working fervently around the clock to ensure Ghana delivers in their fifth world cup appearance.

Changes in 2026 FIFA World Cup venues: Black Stars play Panama in first game in Toronto

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Changes in 2026 FIFA World Cup venues: Black Stars play Panama in first game in Toronto

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The world’s football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), has confirmed that the Black Stars of Ghana will open their Group L fixture against Panama in Toronto, Canada on 17th June, 2026.

After the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington DC on December 5, 2025, it came out that Coach Otto Addo and his gallant Black Stars will lock horns with Panama in their first game at Dalas, USA.

But it has been established that Ghana will rather set the ball rolling in the largest and populous city in Canada. It is a home game for the Black Stars.

From Canada, skipper Jordan Ayew and his colleagues will travel to Boston, USA to battle Coach Thomas Tuchel and his Three Lions of England on June 23, 2026. Captain Harry Kane and his England side will be the homesters.

The last Group L fixture will see the Black Stars coming face to face with Luca Modric’s Croatian side on June 27, 2026.

It will be a dicey away game for the Black Stars because Croatia have shown great consistent performance in the last two FIFA World Cup competitions.

In 2018 in Russia, Croatia proved beyond reasonable doubt to reach the final but painfully lost to France.

Having finished as runners up in 2018, they returned strongly four years later to clinch bronze medals beating African giants, Morocco 2-1 at the 3rd/4th place in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Be careful of any protocol dealings for 2026 FIFA World Cup – Sports Minister warns Ghanaians

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Be careful of any protocol dealings for 2026 FIFA World Cup – Sports Minister warns Ghanaians

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The Minster for Sports and Recreation, Honourable Kofi Iddi Adams has issued a stern warning to football loving Ghanaians who has plans to travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

In an interaction with the media, Honourable
Kofi Adams said it would be out of order for anybody to give money to people or agents who claims to offer protocol arrangements for the much awaited tournament which is about seven months away.

“Don’t advance money to anybody in the name of protocol arrangement to USA, Canada and Mexico for the World Cup. That would be my basic advice to all” he warned.

Ever since the Black Stars of Ghana qualified for their fifth FIFA World Cup, many Ghanaians including football fans, govenment officials, politicians, religeous bodies and companies have shown interest of travelling to lend their unfliching support behind the team.

This, Honourable Kofi Adams, wants Ghanaians to be vigilant and tread with caution to avoid been duped by fraudsters or fake agents.

Co-host nation Mexico will set the ball rolling with an opening game against South Africa on Thursday 11th June, 2026 in Group A.

A cursory look at Black Stars FIFA World Cup groups in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022 and 2026

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A cursory look at Black Stars FIFA World Cup groups in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022 and 2026

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup commences on 11th June 2026, Coach Otto Addo and his Black Stars team will have to wait until Wednesday, 17th June 2026 before they kick a ball against Panama at the AT&T Stadium (Arlington) in Dalas, USA.

The Black Stars will subsequently engage England in Toronto, Canada and Croation in Philadelphia, USA in other Group L matches.

In their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance in Germany 2006, the Black Stars of Ghana were drawn against Italy, Czech Republic and USA in Group E.

Italy came first with 7 points. The Stars were second with 6 points. Czech Republic got 3 while USA got only a point.

The Black Stars progressed to the 1/16th stage and suffered a 3-0 humiliation against Brazil.

Four years later in South 2010 FIFA World Cup, Ghana were in Group D. They finished second again with 4 points appiece with Australia. Germany were first with 6 points. Serbia were last in the group with 3 points.

The Stars went ahead to eliminate USA at the 1/16th stage before narrowly losing to Uruguay on penalties at the quarter finals.

It was disastrous for the Black Stars in Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. They finished at the bottom in Group G with only a point. Germany topped the group with 7 points, USA 4 and Portugal 4.

The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup saw Black Stars in Group H. After three round of matches the points build up were Portugal 6, South Korea 4, Uruguay 4 and Ghana 3.

Unlike the previous four editions where 32 countries competed for glory, 48 teams will participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled for USA, Canada and Mexico.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Ghana billed to play Panama, England and Croatia in Group L

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2026 FIFA World Cup: Ghana billed to play Panama, England and Croatia in Group L

By Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The Black Stars of Ghana will engage Panama, England and Croatia in Group L of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Black Stars were handed this difficult group during the recent draw which took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, USA on December 5, 2025.

Coach Otto Addo who led the Black Stars to qualify for their fifth FIFA World Cup said after the draw that his side would be ready for the challenge ahead.

“It is a tough group full of experienced teams but the Black will be ready for the battle ahead” he said.

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan was a special guest at the colourful draw ceremony. The top striker featured prominently in the Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup competitions. He described Group L as a tricky one.

“Well it is a tricky group but I expect the Black Stars to qualify from the group” he noted.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams this time around. It will start from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026.

The Black Stars will take on Panama in their opening group game on June 17, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, USA.

It will be followed by a crunchy duel agianst the Three Lions of England on June 23, 2026 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.

Their last group game will be against Croatia on June 27, 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, USA.

Full World Cup draw:

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