Sports Minister, Kofi Adams has dismissed reports suggesting Ghanaian supporters have been denied United States visas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on preparations towards the tournament, Kofi Adams revealed that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation together with the World Cup Oversight Committee has been engaging the United States Embassy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure smooth travel arrangements for Ghanaian supporters and officials.

According to him, discussions with the embassy have so far been “positive and constructive.”

“I have read many reports that suggest visa refusals and that only eight or 18 Ghanaian fans have been issued visas. The truth of the matter is that the organised fans that the ministry is leading are yet to submit themselves to the American Embassy for visa interviews,” he stated

The Minister stressed that claims of mass visa rejections linked to the official government arrangement are false, explaining that individuals may independently be applying through private travel agencies or personal arrangements.

“However, it is false and not true when anyone says that the arrangement we are spearheading as a Ministerial Oversight Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have had these refusals when they are even yet to appear before the visa issuing officers,” he added.

Adams further disclosed that a technical working group has been established involving the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United States Embassy and other diplomatic missions to coordinate visa processing and other logistics ahead of the tournament.

He explained that the committee is overseeing accommodation, transportation, supporter movement and other operational activities connected to Ghana’s participation at the Mundial to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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The Minister also noted that Ghana’s diplomatic missions in the United States and Canada continue to provide regular updates on accommodation availability and internal travel arrangements for supporters expected to travel for the competition.

On the local front, Kofi Adams said the Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with the planning subcommittee and the United States Embassy on fan engagement activities and fan parks expected to be set up across the country ahead of the tournament.

PAH/JE

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