President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to Ghanaians planning to travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—to strictly adhere to their visa conditions and return home after the tournament concludes.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2026, the president emphasized that Ghana has only recently succeeded in having its access to five-year non-immigrant visas from the United States restored and in being removed from the U.S. visa restriction or ban list, following earlier widespread violations by travelers who overstayed.
He noted that supporters and others eager to cheer on the Black Stars will need to apply for visas through the American Embassy, but stressed that this opportunity comes with a clear responsibility.
Mahama warned that if large numbers of Ghanaians were to travel to the U.S. for the event and then refuse to return as required by their visa terms, it could result in the country being placed back on the restricted list, undoing the significant diplomatic and administrative efforts invested to regain favorable travel privileges.
The president expressed his hope that the World Cup would instead serve as a positive moment for Ghana, helping to boost the nation’s international branding through responsible participation, rather than turning into a trigger for renewed visa restrictions that would affect thousands of ordinary citizens.
This caution aligns with prior warnings from the U.S. Embassy in Accra, which has highlighted that overstaying a visa—even by a single day—is treated as a serious violation under U.S. immigration law, potentially leading to deportation, long-term re-entry bans, or other penalties for individuals involved.