President John Dramani Mahama has admitted he still harbors resentment toward Luis Suarez over the striker’s infamous handball during Ghana’s clash with Uruguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Mahama made this remark while addressing guests at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

“I still remember 2010 vividly, the energy that was in the air. The nation stands still, united in hope."

"As we came within a whisper of gaining world glory. I still don’t like Suarez since that incident, and I have never wished him well for what he did,” Mahama added.

The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. Luis Suarez deliberately handled Dominic Adiyah's goal-bound header on the goal line in the dying moments of extra time, denying Ghana a historic semi-final spot.

Despite being sent off, Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, and Ghana went on to lose the match in a penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will make their fifth appearance at the Mundial this summer and will come up against Panama, England and Croatia in Group L.

Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27.