Black Stars assistant coach Roger De Sa has revealed that one of the biggest obstacles Ghana faced during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was the demanding travel schedule between host cities across North America.
While praising the organisation of the tournament, the experienced South African coach admitted that the constant movement from one city to another, combined with changes in time zones, created additional challenges for players throughout the competition.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the largest in history, with matches played across the United States, Canada and Mexico. As a result, teams often had to travel long distances between games, something that required careful planning and recovery. According to De Sa, the travel demands affected not only Ghana but every nation competing in the tournament.
Despite those challenges, he believes the tournament was organised to a very high standard and remains one of the most memorable football events he has experienced.
Travel Became the Biggest Challenge
Although De Sa praised almost every aspect of the tournament, he admitted there was one area that created significant difficulties. The vast distances between several host cities made travelling one of the most demanding parts of the competition.
Unlike previous tournaments hosted within smaller geographical areas, the 2026 World Cup required many teams to cover thousands of kilometres between matches. The assistant coach believes this placed additional physical and mental demands on players.
“If there was one difficulty, I think it was the travel. The cities were quite distant sometimes, in different time zones. So, that does have an effect on all the teams. The travel is a bit taxing on the players,” De Sa added. His comments highlight an important challenge that many teams experienced during the expanded tournament.
Ghana’s Journey Began in Canada
The Black Stars opened their World Cup campaign with a difficult match against Panama in Toronto. It was an important fixture because it gave Ghana the opportunity to start the tournament positively and build confidence for the matches that followed. The team responded well by securing a hard fought 1-0 victory.
The result gave the Black Stars three valuable points and provided a strong platform for the rest of their group stage campaign.
However, there was very little time to celebrate because preparations immediately shifted toward the next challenge. The players and coaching staff soon packed their bags for another long journey.
A Tournament to Remember
Reflecting on the competition, Roger De Sa spoke positively about his overall experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Having previously attended other World Cups during his coaching career, he believes each edition continues to improve. Speaking on 947’s MSW, De Sa praised both FIFA and the host countries for organising a successful tournament.
“You know World Cups are always special; you go to one or two of them, and they always get better, you know,” De Sa told 947’s MSW.
His comments reflected his admiration for the growth of the tournament and the effort invested in delivering a memorable event for players and supporters.
Praise for the Organisation
Roger De Sa had plenty of positive words for the organisation of the competition. He praised the quality of the stadiums, hotels and the overall experience provided to participating teams. According to the assistant coach, every aspect of the tournament was managed professionally.
“I thought it was a fantastic tournament, very well organised. Great stadiums, great hotels, everything has been good. Good crowds, the stadiums are full.”
The atmosphere created by supporters also left a strong impression on him. Throughout the tournament, stadiums were packed with passionate fans who created exciting environments for every match.
For the players, performing in front of full crowds added to the unique experience of competing at the World Cup.
Next Stop Boston
After completing their opening fixture in Toronto, Ghana travelled to Boston for their second group stage match against England. The fixture attracted enormous attention because England entered the tournament as one of the favourites.
The Black Stars produced an impressive defensive display and managed to hold the Three Lions to a goalless draw. The result was celebrated by supporters as one of Ghana’s best performances during the competition.
Although the match itself was physically demanding, another journey awaited the team shortly afterwards. The constant travel became part of daily life throughout the tournament.
Final Group Match in Philadelphia
Following the England game, Ghana once again changed locations. The Black Stars travelled to Philadelphia for their final group stage fixture against Croatia.
It proved to be another difficult contest against experienced opponents. Despite Ghana’s efforts, Croatia claimed a narrow 2-1 victory.
Although the defeat was disappointing, Ghana had done enough across the group stage to qualify for the Round of 32.
Reaching the knockout stage represented an important achievement for the team, especially considering the difficult preparation period before the tournament. The players could now focus on extending their World Cup journey.
Knockout Stage Ends in Kansas City
After progressing beyond the group stage, Ghana travelled once again, this time to Kansas City for their Round of 32 encounter with Colombia.
The match represented another opportunity for the Black Stars to make history and continue their impressive campaign. However, the team’s World Cup dream came to an end following a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Although Ghana exited the competition, the players earned praise for their determination and commitment throughout the tournament.
The experience also provided valuable lessons for the squad as they prepare for future international competitions.
For Roger De Sa, however, the football itself was only one part of the challenge. The travel required throughout the tournament also played a significant role.
Time Zones Added Another Difficulty
Beyond the long flights, changing time zones also created extra challenges for players and coaching staff. Travelling between different regions often meant adjusting sleeping patterns, meal schedules and training times.
These factors can affect recovery and physical performance, particularly during a tournament where matches are played within a short period.
For coaching staff, managing player fatigue became just as important as preparing tactics for the next opponent. Every recovery session had to be carefully planned to help players remain physically ready despite the demanding travel schedule.
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