'The boys are ready' - GFA President Kurt Okraku backs Black Stars to rewrite Ghana's World Cup story

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku believes the Black Stars are ready to "rewrite the story" as they prepare to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday.

Speaking during Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's visit to the team's hotel in Toronto, Okraku expressed confidence that the players and technical team are fully prepared to meet the expectations of Ghanaians.

"One thing is very clear, these boys here, led by Captain Jordan Ayew, are extremely determined to rewrite our story," Okraku said.

"The 26-plus players that you see here and the technical team are ready. Tomorrow is the day they've been waiting for. Tomorrow is the day they've been preparing for."

The GFA president acknowledged the enormous expectations that come with representing Ghana on football's biggest stage, saying the players understand the responsibility they carry.

"We say in Ghana we have 30 million-plus people. And I can tell you, Your Excellency, for a fact that we have 30 million-plus coaches in Ghana. And we also have 30 million-plus supporters, fans of this team called the Black Stars."

"This is how important this team is to Ghanaians. Our players here and our technical team, led by Coach Carlos Queiroz, are fully aware of the expectations of the country to play well."

Okraku said the World Cup opener represents the moment the Black Stars have been working towards since qualifying for the tournament.

"Tomorrow will be the day they walk through that tunnel onto the green turf to fight for glory for Mother Ghana."

Ghana take on Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on Wednesday evening in their opening Group L fixture before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group-stage matches.