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The Black Stars of Ghana have arrived in Toronto ahead of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama at the BMO Field on Wednesday.

The contingent landed on Monday afternoon following a successful pre-tournament preparations in the United States.

Carlos Queiroz’s charges have been based in the US since their friendly encounter against Wales earlier this month at the Cardiff Stadium.

All 26 players were fully involved in the team’s training sessions with no reports no injury concerns ahead of the Group L opener.

The Black Stars will hold their official training session at BMO Field on Tuesday evening.

Ghana will play Panama at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 17, in what will be the nation’s fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Interestingly, this will be the first ever meeting between the two countries at the senior level.

The Black Stars will be hoping to secure a win against Panama before facing England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday, June 23. Ghana will last play Croatia in their last group game.

The Government of Ghana has disclosed that it has authorized, through the Ministry of Finance, the release of Seventy-Six Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Ghana Cedis and Twenty Pesewas (GH₵ 76,466,919.20) to fund the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign.

According to a release from the seat of government, in a bid to ensure a successful tournament for the senior national team in the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, it has “released Fifty-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS 58,929,500.00), which is the cedi equivalent of US$5,000,000.00, as an advance payment to facilitate preparations and cover the costs associated with the team’s participation in the group stages of the World Cup.”

In addition to the above, the Government of Ghana has released Seventeen Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Nineteen Ghana Cedis and Twenty Pesewas (GHS 17,537,419.20), the cedi equivalent of US$1,488,000.00, to settle outstanding debts in bonuses owed to the team.

The statement on Friday, June 12, 2026 from the Jubilee House read, “These payments are in fulfilment of the performance-based agreement established during the qualifying series. Under that arrangement, the team received 50% of their bonus during the qualifiers, with the remaining 50% contingent on successful qualification for the tournament.”

It continued, “Government remains steadfast in its support for the Black Stars and the development of sports in the country. We believe this timely release of funds will provide the stability and motivation needed for the technical team and players to focus on their core mandate: delivering success for the people of Ghana.”

The Black Stars will open their tournament on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, against Panama in Toronto, Canada. The government rallies for support for the team.

“We call on all Ghanaians to continue to offer their unwavering support to the Black Stars as they embark on this prestigious journey to the World Cup.”

Ghana will also play against giants England and Croatia in Group L.

Ghana lost 2-0 to Mexico in an international friendly in Puebla on Friday, conceding in either half as both nations continued preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.

The match gave Desmond Ofei a closer look at his squad and provided new players a platform to stake a claim just days before Ghana’s final World Cup squad is announced.

Benjamin Asare kept his place in goal, marshalled by a back four of Jan Kwasi Gyamerah, Nathaniel Adjei, Oscar Oppong and Terry Yegbe. Emmanuel Agyei, captain Majeed Ashimeru, Ibrahim Osman and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi started in midfield, with Daniel Agyei and Felix Afena-Gyan leading the line in a 4-4-2 formation.

The hosts took an early lead through Brian Gutiérrez inside two minutes. Ghana recovered with a composed response, but Mexico looked comfortable on the ball and headed into the break 1-0 up after an impressive first-half display.

Guillermo Martínez doubled Mexico’s advantage in the 54th minute. Ofei responded with multiple second-half substitutions, but they were not enough to change the game.

Prince Amoako, Jerry Afriyie and Razak Simpson came on for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Daniel Agyei and Felix Afena-Gyan in the 66th minute. Majeed Ashimeru, Ibrahim Osman, Emmanuel Agyei and Benjamin Asare later made way for Abdul Aziz Issah, Joseph Opoku, Salim Adams and Solomon Agbasi.

The changes gave Ghana renewed impetus in the closing stages, but Mexico held on for the win.

The match served as a valuable test for Ghana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The team will now shift focus to the friendly against Wales in Cardiff on June 2, 2026.

GFA