Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has declared that the Black Stars will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the ambition of winning the tournament rather than merely making up the numbers.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues programme, the Sports Minister stressed that Ghana’s qualification for the global showpiece is proof that the country belongs among the world’s elite football nations and should not be underestimated.

“We are not going there as just mere participants; we’re going there as a team that is capable of also winning the trophy, and so that is the mentality we are going with,” Kofi Adams said.

The Minister argued that every nation that successfully navigates the competitive qualification process deserves respect and should believe in its ability to compete for the ultimate prize.

Addressing concerns over the late appointment of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz and the timing of Ghana’s squad announcement, Adams insisted that such circumstances should not diminish confidence in the team’s prospects.

He pointed to examples of national teams that have changed coaches shortly before or even during major tournaments and still achieved success.

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“Teams have sacked their coaches and brought in new ones even during a tournament and have gone on to win it,” he stated.

While acknowledging that a longer period of technical stability would have been ideal, the Minister said Ghana must work effectively within the circumstances at hand.

He also dismissed criticism surrounding the timing of the squad announcement, noting that Ghana complied fully with FIFA’s deadlines.

“We’ve done so within the time given by FIFA. That’s what is most important,” he added.

The appearance fee for the Black Stars players has been pegged at $100,000 per player. - Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation #HotIssues #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/pIc0hNnQe6

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 31, 2026