Sports
FIFA Boss Gianni Infantino Praises Ghana’s Football Growth After Decade in Office
President of Federation International Football Association has singled out Ghana as one of the Member Associations that has effectively utilised FIFA development support to drive infrastructure growth and competitive success.
Infantino commended the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its strategic use of the FIFA Forward Programme and other support initiatives.
“Ghana has been one of the Member Associations who have made excellent use of the FIFA Forward and other FIFA Support Programmes in the last decade.
Infantino stated major upgrades at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, describing it as a clear example of effective investment.
“The national technical centre, Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, now has new floodlights, a 30-bed accommodation for teams and two new pitches (artificial and natural turf).”
He also pointed to expanded development efforts beyond southern Ghana with the inauguration of a new technical facility in Winkogo, aimed at decentralising talent development.
“Another technical centre has been inaugurated in Winkogo, in northern part of the country. Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has been working hard to ensure increased participation, especially among women, and with help from the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.”
Women’s Football Acceleration
Women’s football development was another area singled out for praise. Infantino credited FIFA-backed support for the National Women’s League as instrumental in strengthening Ghana’s female football structure.
“Women’s Football has been accelerated with support from FIFA for the National Women’s League, which has played a pivotal role in the Black Queens’ qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 and in 2026.”
The domestic league investment has strengthened the pipeline feeding into the Ghana women’s national football team, enhancing competitiveness at continental level.
Back-to-Back World Cup Qualifications
On the men’s side, Infantino praised Ghana’s consistency on the global stage.
“Another impressive result has been the successive qualification of the men’s senior national team to the FIFA World Cup, first in Qatar in 2022 and now Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer.”
The Ghana national football team featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Infantino’s remarks reinforce Ghana’s standing within FIFA’s global development framework, highlighting how structured investment in infrastructure, grassroots initiatives, and women’s football has translated into both developmental progress and competitive achievement over the past decade.
Following the events in the Middle East, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has met with the Black Queens to appeal for calm. He assured the team that the GFA has, over the last 24 to 48 hours, engaged with all stakeholders, including Ghana’s mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Security Advisors, in its quest to find the right solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (Hon.), and Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams (Hon.), have both called to offer the nation’s support to the team during this period.
The GFA respectfully asks everyone to be calm as we monitor the situation. We will keep our stakeholders updated should there be further developments.
The Black Queens have been in the United Arab Emirates for the past week to prepare for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports kpdonline.com is gathering, the team is likely to redraw from the ongoing Pink Ladies Cup following, Tension in the Middle East.
Credit: Ghana FA Communication
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that Ghana is considering of adding another high profile Friendly game as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going there to just go and participate, our intention is to stay there till the last day, reason why we have augmented the technical team, we are in talks to have another high profile Friendly in the coming weeks, talks are ongoing and it will be confirmed soon” Adams told Citi Sports,
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has added five new faces to the technical team, including French coach Alain Ravera as assistant coach, and performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi.
These appointments aim to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and will look to break their best World Cup record, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010.
Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams has scored an equalizer for Athletic Club in their drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas, marking his first La Liga goal since October.
The Ghanaian striker controlled a header from Alex Berenguer with his thigh and unleashed a powerful volley into the far corner, rescuing a point for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Rayo Vallecano had taken the lead through Jorge de Frutos, but Williams’ 47th-minute strike leveled the game. The result keeps Athletic Club in 8th place, while Rayo Vallecano moves up to 14th.
The match was marked by intense moments, including a first-half injury to Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who appeared to have suffered a shoulder luxation.
The 31-year-old midfielder has made 18 appearances, scoring twice and provided two assists in the ongoing Spanish La liga.
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