Sports Minister Kofi Adams has defended Ghana's spending on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the country spent less on its 2026 campaign than on the Qatar 2022 tournament.

According to the minister, Ghana spent GH¢55.08 million on the 2026 World Cup campaign in the United States, despite the Black Stars progressing beyond the group stage.

Speaking in an interview with TV3, Adams argued that the 2026 campaign cost less than Ghana's appearance fee for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Just the appearance fee alone in 2022, Qatar was more than what we spent in the entire appearance that we did in the United States of America,” Adams said.

The minister disclosed that Ghana received GH₵59.15 million as appearance fees for the Qatar 2022 tournament, where the Black Stars exited at the group stage.

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He further stated that the total expenditure for the 2022 campaign exceeded GH₵66 million.

Adams also explained that Ghana’s progression to the knockout stage at the 2026 tournament led to additional accommodation and per diem costs because the team stayed in the United States beyond its initial group-stage schedule.

He noted that the team had to stay until July 3 to play its knockout-stage match in Kansas, with additional per diem payments of US$1,000 per person contributing to the overall expenditure.

Despite the extended stay, the minister maintained that the total spending remained below the appearance fee received for the 2022 tournament.

“Between a government that spends GH₵55 million when it qualifies out of the group stage and the one that spends GH₵66 million when it left the competition at the group stage, who was prudent?” he asked.

💵 🇬🇭 GH₵66M vs GH₵55M: Who Spent Wisely? Sports Minister Kofi Adams sparks debate over Ghana’s 2022 and 2026 World Cup expenditure, claiming that Qatar 2022 appearance fees alone exceeded the total cost of the 2026 campaign.

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— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) October 11, 2026