Officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and key stakeholders in Ghana football gathered in Accra on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for a national interdenominational thanksgiving and prayer service focused on the future of Ghana football and the Black Stars’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The service was held at the All Saints Anglican Church at Adabraka and brought together football administrators, government officials, clergy, corporate sponsors and other stakeholders within the football sector.

Rt Rev Dr Daniel Sylvanus Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra, officiated the service and offered prayers for Ghana football while encouraging unity, discipline and dedication within the sport.

Present at the event were GFA President and CAF Second Vice-President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Iddie Adams, members of the GFA Executive Council and officials of the football governing body.

Special prayers were offered for the Black Stars following the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Clergy members prayed for guidance, strength and success for the national team ahead of the tournament.

Prayers were also said for Ghana’s domestic football competitions, including the Ghana Premier League, Women’s Premier League and Division One League.

Addressing the congregation, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku thanked the clergy for their support and said the football leadership considered it important to return to church in thanksgiving after qualifying for the World Cup.

“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.

The GFA president also expressed confidence in Ghana’s chances at the tournament.

“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.

The prayer service also recognised Ghana’s youth and women’s national teams. Prayers were offered for the Black Princesses after qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, while support was extended to the Black Starlets during their CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The Black Maidens were also remembered in prayers as they continue their qualification journey for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The gathering additionally acknowledged the success of Ghana’s U-15 girls national team after defending their African Schools Football Championship title in Zimbabwe.

As part of the event, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and Sports Minister Kofi Adams presented official Black Stars jerseys to the bishops in attendance.