Ghana football fraternity holds national thanksgiving for Black Stars’ World Cup dream

Leaders of Ghana’s football fraternity joined officials from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in Accra on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for a solemn national interdenominational thanksgiving and prayer service aimed at seeking divine guidance for the future of Ghana football, with special focus on the Black Stars’ campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Held at the All Saints Anglican Church in Adabraka, the gathering brought together football administrators, government officials, clergy, corporate sponsors and key stakeholders within Ghana’s football ecosystem in a united display of faith, gratitude and hope for continued success on and off the pitch.
The service was officiated by Rt. Rev. Dr Daniel Sylvanus Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra, who offered prayers for Ghana football and urged unity, discipline and commitment across all levels of the sport.
Among the dignitaries present were Ghana Football Association (GFA) President and CAF 2nd Vice-President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams, members of the GFA Executive Council and staff of the football governing body.
A major highlight of the service was the offering of special prayers for the Black Stars following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Clergy and stakeholders prayed for strength, wisdom and success for the senior national team as Ghana prepares to return to football’s grandest stage.
The thanksgiving also extended to Ghana’s wider football structure, with prayers offered for domestic competitions, including the Ghana Premier League, Women’s Premier League and Division One League, in recognition of their progress and continued development.
Addressing the congregation, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed deep gratitude to the clergy for their unwavering spiritual support, noting that the football leadership intentionally began the World Cup qualification journey with prayer and considered it important to return in thanksgiving after securing qualification.
“Indeed, if you listened to my sector minister, you would fully appreciate the reason why we are here today. We started the journey with the support of the church and having qualified to the mundial, it was always important for us to come back here to say thank you to the Almighty God and seek His blessings as we continue,” he stated.
The GFA President also expressed confidence in Ghana’s prospects at the tournament, reiterating the Black Stars’ determination to make the nation proud on the global stage.
“We will go to Canada, we will go to Mexico if the law allows us, if the competition allows us, and we will go to the United States and make our dear country great and strong. We will make Ghana proud. The support we are shown here, the support from the clergy and our Bishops, reassures us that God is ahead,” he added.
Beyond the senior national team, prayers were equally offered for Ghana’s youth and women’s national sides. The Black Princesses were commended after qualifying for another FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, while support was extended to the Black Starlets as they continue their CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The Black Maidens were also remembered in prayers as they pursue qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The gathering further celebrated the achievements of Ghana’s U-15 girls’ national team, who successfully defended their African Schools Football Championship title in Zimbabwe — a feat viewed as a strong indication of the country’s growing investment in youth football development.
In a symbolic show of appreciation and unity, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and Sports Minister Kofi Adams presented official Black Stars jerseys to the bishops, underscoring a collective national commitment to rally behind Ghana’s teams ahead of key international assignments.