Football: Ghana Engages World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith, with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, had a high-level engagement with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and key stakeholders as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be hosted across multiple cities in the United States, including Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. The meeting formed part of early coordination efforts aimed at ensuring a successful tournament while exploring opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and business engagement linked to the global sporting event.

Jonathan Todd of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 outlined the city’s readiness plans, announcing a two-day preparatory session scheduled for February 19–20, which will bring together all Embassies whose countries are participating in the World Cup. He emphasized that Embassy presence will be required throughout all matches hosted in Philadelphia, underscoring the importance of close coordination and collaboration.

Anna Tsuji of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and its partners highlighted the extensive work underway to prepare for the tournament. She noted that committees and key stakeholders are being actively coordinated to ensure smooth operations, effective engagement, and a memorable experience for teams, visitors, and host communities alike.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts described Ghana’s participation in the World Cup as both an entertainment and business opportunity. She stressed that the tournament offers a unique global platform to showcase Ghana’s culture, creativity, and tourism offerings. The Minister appealed for dedicated windows and opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs, particularly those in the creative arts, hospitality, fashion, food, and cultural industries, to actively participate and benefit from World Cup-related activities in Philadelphia and beyond.  Ambassador Victor Smith assured partners of the Embassy’s readiness to provide all necessary support to ensure Ghana’s effective participation before and during the tournament. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between diplomatic missions, host city institutions, and event organizers to maximize the benefits of the World Cup for all parties involved. As preparations continue, Ghana looks forward to working closely with Philadelphia’s institutions and partners to ensure a successful tournament, one that celebrates football, culture, and shared economic opportunity.