GFA, Sports Ministry lead Thanksgiving Service for Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign

The leadership of the Ghana football fraternity, together with officials from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, gathered in Accra on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for a solemn national interdenominational thanksgiving and prayer service in support of Ghana’s football ambitions, particularly the Black Stars’ participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Held at the All Saints Anglican Church in Adabraka, the spiritual gathering brought together football administrators, government officials, clergy, corporate sponsors and stakeholders within the football ecosystem to seek divine guidance and blessings for Ghana football.

The service was led by Rt Reverend Dr Daniel Sylvanus Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra, who offered prayers for the nation’s football future and called for unity, discipline and success across all levels of the game.

Among the notable personalities present were Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and 2nd CAF Vice-President, and Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation, alongside members of the GFA Executive Council and staff.

The service placed strong emphasis on the Black Stars following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted across North America. Special prayers were offered for the senior national team as Ghana prepares for football’s biggest stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In addition to the Black Stars, prayers and thanksgiving extended to Ghana’s broader football ecosystem, including domestic competitions such as the Ghana Premier League, Women’s Premier League and Division One League, with gratitude expressed for their successful organisation and continued development.

Addressing the congregation, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed profound appreciation to the clergy for their unwavering spiritual support and thanked the church for hosting the football fraternity on what he described as a significant occasion.

He noted that the football leadership had intentionally begun their World Cup qualification journey with prayer and deemed it fitting to return in gratitude after securing a place at the mundial.

“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 said.

President Simeon-Okraku further expressed optimism about Ghana’s prospects at the tournament, stressing the determination of the Black Stars to make the country 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 men’s national team, prayers were also offered for the Black Princesses after sealing qualification to yet another FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Attention was equally directed toward the Black Starlets, who continue their campaign at the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the Black Maidens in their pursuit of qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The gathering further celebrated Ghana’s U-15 girls’ national team for successfully defending their African Schools Football Championship title in Zimbabwe - a feat widely viewed as a testament to the growing strength of youth football development in the country.

In a symbolic gesture, President Simeon-Okraku and Sports Minister Kofi Adams presented official Black Stars jerseys to the revered bishops, as Ghana rallies behind its teams ahead of major international assignments.