Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has reaffirmed his unwavering belief that the Black Stars remain genuine contenders to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting Ghana’s ambitions have not changed despite the tournament entering its knockout phase.
With the group stage now complete and only 32 nations remaining in the competition, Adams says the Black Stars continue to believe they can go all the way and lift football’s biggest prize.
The minister made the bold declaration during an interview on Sporty FM’s Sporty Breakfast, where he reflected on Ghana’s journey through the group stage and outlined the team’s long-term objective of becoming world champions.
His comments come as the Black Stars prepare for a difficult Round of 32 encounter against Colombia, one of the tournament’s most impressive teams after topping Group K without suffering a defeat.
Despite the challenge ahead, Adams says the confidence inside Ghana’s camp remains as strong as ever.
‘We are chasing the trophy’
Speaking with optimism about Ghana’s World Cup campaign, Adams stressed that qualifying for the knockout stages was only one step towards the team’s ultimate objective.
According to him, the Black Stars entered the tournament believing they could compete for the title, and that belief has not diminished.
“When we started, we were 48, and we were confident that we are also chasing the trophy. Now the numbers have been reduced by 16, and 32 are going to the next round. We still think that we are heading towards clinching the trophy,” Adams told Sporty FM.
The minister explained that Ghana’s focus extends beyond simply participating in the knockout rounds. Instead, he believes every stage of the competition should bring the team closer to its ultimate ambition.
Belief in a deep World Cup run
Adams outlined the pathway he hopes the Black Stars will follow over the coming weeks. Rather than concentrating solely on Colombia, he looked beyond the Round of 32 and expressed confidence that Ghana could continue progressing through each stage of the tournament.
“Some have started falling out, and I know we will be part of the 16 who will continue to chase, and we will be part of the eight who will continue to chase, and then eventually to the two. So that is our project. That is what we are working towards, and I want us to focus on this.”
His remarks reflect the growing optimism surrounding the national team following an encouraging start under head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Although Ghana suffered a narrow defeat to Croatia in their final group match, the Black Stars had already secured qualification for the knockout stage thanks to earlier results. The team’s disciplined performances have restored confidence among supporters after a difficult period in recent years.
A successful group-stage campaign
Ghana’s journey to the knockout rounds began with a hard-fought victory over Panama. The Black Stars opened their campaign with a 1-0 win that immediately placed them in a strong position within Group L. That result was followed by one of Ghana’s standout performances of the tournament.
Against tournament favourites England, Carlos Queiroz’s side produced an outstanding defensive display to earn a goalless draw. The performance received widespread praise for its organisation, discipline and tactical maturity.
Although Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia in their final group fixture, qualification had already been secured before kick-off under the expanded 48-team World Cup format. The Black Stars eventually finished third in Group L with four points, enough to book a place in the Round of 32.
Colombia provide next obstacle
Standing between Ghana and a place in the last 16 is an unbeaten Colombian side. The South Americans finished top of Group K after collecting seven points and have been among the tournament’s most consistent teams.
Their balanced style of play, combining technical quality with defensive solidity, makes them one of the more dangerous teams remaining in the competition. However, Ghana have already demonstrated their ability to compete against elite opposition.
The Black Stars frustrated England over 90 minutes and showed resilience throughout the group stage despite dealing with injuries and squad adjustments.
Carlos Queiroz has repeatedly insisted his team will approach every knockout match with the objective of winning rather than merely surviving. That attacking mentality aligns closely with the optimism expressed by the Sports Minister.
Queiroz has transformed belief
Since replacing Otto Addo earlier this year, Queiroz has overseen a remarkable improvement in Ghana’s performances. The experienced Portuguese coach quickly organised a squad that many observers had questioned before the tournament began.
Under his leadership, the Black Stars have become one of the most disciplined defensive teams in the competition. They kept clean sheets against both Panama and England before conceding for the first time during the defeat to Croatia.
Beyond the tactical improvements, Queiroz has also succeeded in rebuilding confidence within the squad. Players have repeatedly spoken about the renewed belief that now exists inside the dressing room. That confidence has extended beyond the players to government officials and supporters alike.
History provides inspiration
Should Ghana eventually fulfil Adams’ prediction, it would represent the greatest achievement in the country’s football history.
The Black Stars’ best World Cup performance remains the memorable run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. On that occasion, Ghana came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
That campaign remains one of the defining moments in African football history. Now, under the tournament’s expanded 48-team format, Ghana has another opportunity to create history.
The introduction of the Round of 32 means teams must now navigate an additional knockout match before reaching the traditional last 16. It makes the road to the final even longer and more demanding.
Growing confidence around the Black Stars
Adams’ comments mirror the optimism that has steadily grown throughout Ghana’s World Cup campaign. Several former players, football administrators and supporters have praised the team’s performances despite the difficult opposition they have faced.
Experienced figures including Jonathan Mensah, Winfried Schäfer and Laryea Kingston have all expressed confidence that the Black Stars possess the quality to compete with any nation remaining in the tournament.
Players such as Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams provide valuable experience, while emerging talents have also impressed on the world stage.
The team’s unity has become one of its greatest strengths. Even following the defeat to Croatia, the players insisted their confidence remained intact heading into the knockout rounds.
One match at a time
While Adams spoke confidently about Ghana eventually reaching the final, the immediate priority remains overcoming Colombia.
The Round of 32 encounter represents one of the toughest tests the Black Stars have faced so far. Victory would send Ghana into the last 16 and move them one step closer to the ambitious target outlined by the Sports Minister.
Defeat, however, would bring the country’s World Cup journey to an immediate conclusion. That reality means every detail of the team’s preparations has become increasingly important.
Carlos Queiroz and his technical staff have spent the past few days analysing Colombia while ensuring the squad is physically and mentally ready for knockout football.
Eyes firmly on the ultimate prize
For Kofi Adams, simply qualifying for the knockout rounds is not enough. His message is clear: Ghana entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup believing they could compete for the trophy, and nothing that has happened during the tournament has changed that objective.
Whether that ambition becomes reality will depend on the Black Stars’ ability to overcome one of the toughest knockout paths in the competition, beginning with Colombia in Kansas City.
If Ghana can continue producing the disciplined, resilient performances that characterised their group-stage campaign, Adams believes the dream of becoming world champions remains alive.
The journey towards that historic achievement starts with a must-win Round of 32 showdown, where the Black Stars will attempt to take another step toward what the Sports Minister describes as the team’s ultimate project: winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Share this:
