I disagree when people say Ghana can never host the World Cup - Yaw Ampofo Ankrah

Ghana can successfully host the FIFA World Cup in the future if the nation initiates long-term strategic planning and actively explores regional co-hosting opportunities with West African neighbors, according to National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

Speaking on Joy Prime, Ankrah strongly rejected widespread claims that the global showpiece remains permanently out of reach for the country.

Instead, he advocated for immediate, humble consultation with international football governing bodies to map out structural benchmarks over an extended 10 to 30-year window.

"Let's just ask them: 'Charlie, we want to host the World Cup in Ghana in 20 years, in 10 years, in five years, or in 30 years. What do we need to start doing?'" Ankrah stated.

"Let's be humble and start the process. When people say, 'Oh, Ghana can never host the world cup,' I disagree. We might be able to do it with our neighbors. We might be able to do it."

However, this ambitious multi-decade vision faces severe immediate headwinds. FIFA's expanded 48-team tournament layout demands unprecedented logistical scale and world-class stadium standards.

Currently, Ghana’s premier venues, including the iconic Accra Sports Stadium, remain in a ‘very terrible state’ as stated by Ampofo Ankrah.

To bridge this massive infrastructure gap, Ankrah is pushing for stricter financial accountability regarding past tournament revenues and a strategic pivot toward sustainable private corporate funding, all while preparing for nearer continental obligations like the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

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