Ghana’s Black Queens, the senior women’s national football team, issued a joint statement on or around August 12, 2026, demanding immediate payment of outstanding bonuses and per diems along with better management and welfare support, just ahead of their crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification playoff against Côte d’Ivoire.
The match is set for Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Casablanca, Morocco. It forms part of the African play-in pathway after the Black Queens exited the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the quarter-final stage following a 2-1 defeat to Malawi. That result ended their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. A victory over Ivory Coast would keep their campaign alive by advancing them toward the intercontinental play-off tournament.
Key demands in the players’ statement
In their joint statement, the players reaffirmed their pride in representing Ghana and their full commitment to the country and its supporters. At the same time, they expressed frustration over several unresolved financial and welfare matters affecting both players and officials.
They specifically called for the immediate settlement of outstanding financial obligations. These include bonuses for qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, tournament per diems, and bonuses earned after progressing beyond the group stage. Some reports also referenced outstanding payments linked to earlier campaigns.
Beyond the money, the players demanded improved management support, with particular emphasis on mental health and overall well-being. They accused the government of neglect, stating that the Sports Minister and the President had visited the team only once—during the first official training session—since camp opened for the tournament. After that, they said they largely had to rely on themselves, their teammates, or the technical staff.
The players insisted they deserve to be treated with fairness and respect and to receive the same level of commitment given to other sectors. They stressed that financial commitments made to national team players should be honoured on time and that the welfare of those representing the country should be treated as a priority. The statement framed the appeal as a call for transparency, accountability, fairness, and respect rather than an attempt to create conflict. They urged the Ministry of Sports, the Ghana Football Association, and other relevant authorities to engage meaningfully with the team and work toward a swift resolution.
This latest dispute follows a previous episode in which the Black Queens threatened to boycott a WAFCON qualifier against Egypt over unpaid bonuses. Those earlier payments were eventually settled after intervention by the Sports Ministry.
Government Response
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation responded by rejecting claims of outstanding per diems. It stated that players and officials had already been paid for the period from July 26 to August 7 in advance, with an additional payment made on August 11 covering August 8 to 14. The winning bonus for the victory over Cape Verde is being processed. However, the Ministry said there is no approved winning bonus for the WAFCON qualifying matches against Egypt, so that cannot be regarded as an outstanding government obligation.
The Ministry maintained that the team has adequate medical, welfare, and administrative support. It urged the Black Queens to focus on the upcoming play-in against Côte d’Ivoire and reaffirmed the government’s support for their bid to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams publicly stated that the government does not owe the Black Queens any outstanding per diem payments, that the records are clear, and that the administration remains committed to supporting the team and the broader development of women’s football in Ghana. He added that where genuine obligations exist, they will be honoured.
Broader context
The 2026 WAFCON in Morocco served as a major pathway toward 2027 World Cup qualification. Ghana showed competitive form during the tournament, including a group-stage win over Cape Verde, but fell short of the semi-finals that would have secured a more direct route. The playoff against Ivory Coast is therefore a high-stakes, must-win encounter if Ghana is to keep alive its hopes of returning to the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007.
Payment and welfare issues for Ghana’s women’s national teams are not new. Similar tensions have arisen in previous campaigns, reflecting ongoing challenges around funding timelines, government disbursement processes, and the relative prioritization of women’s football. The timing of this latest statement—immediately before a decisive match—adds pressure on preparations, morale, and focus within the squad.
As of the reports emerging on August 12, 2026, the players had called for rapid resolution of their concerns while continuing to prepare for the Ivory Coast match, and the Ministry had issued its clarification and message of support. The resolution of the financial and welfare issues, alongside the result on the pitch, will shape both Ghana’s World Cup hopes and wider conversations about the support structures provided to the Black Queens.