Only Five Out of 31 World Cup Raffle Winners Secure US Visas – Sports Minister Kofi Adams Reveals

Ghana’s preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup have been hit by an unexpected setback after Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams disclosed that only five out of the 31 supporters who won tickets through the government’s World Cup raffle initiative successfully secured United States visas.

The revelation has raised concerns about the challenges facing Ghanaian supporters who are hoping to travel to the United States to cheer on the Black Stars during the global football tournament.

According to Kofi Adams, although 31 individuals emerged as winners of the raffle organised to give ordinary Ghanaian football fans an opportunity to attend the World Cup, the majority of them were unsuccessful in their visa applications. Only five winners managed to obtain the necessary travel documents to make the trip.

The development means that 26 of the 31 successful raffle winners could miss the opportunity to travel to the United States, despite winning the chance to be part of Ghana’s supporters at the prestigious tournament.

The situation has also brought attention to the difficulties involved in securing US visas, particularly for football supporters who may have secured match tickets but still need to satisfy the country’s immigration requirements before being allowed to travel.

However, the minister explained that the government was not abandoning the affected winners. He disclosed that alternative arrangements had been considered to ensure that those who missed the tournament would still receive some benefits from the initiative.

One of the alternatives offered was an opportunity to attend another international sporting competition, with Morocco mentioned as an immediate option. However, several of the affected winners reportedly declined the offer because of the short notice and difficulties in making new travel arrangements after they had already secured permission from their workplaces for the World Cup trip.

The government subsequently introduced a financial compensation option, which some of the winners accepted. Adams said discussions were ongoing to ensure that the remaining beneficiaries also received appropriate compensation.

The Sports Minister further defended the handling of the raffle proceeds, insisting that none of the money raised through the second exercise had been spent.

He maintained that the funds remained in the custody of the fundraising committee and would be used to compensate those who could not travel.

The minister also rejected allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament concerning the reported use of foreign telephone numbers during the fundraising exercise, describing the claims as false.

His latest explanation comes amid growing public scrutiny of Ghana’s World Cup fundraising arrangements, particularly the involvement of private organisers, visa processing and the treatment of unsuccessful raffle winners.

The development has placed the government’s World Cup travel initiative under further public attention, with many Ghanaians now expecting the authorities to fulfil their promise of compensating the 26 supporters who could not secure US visas.

https://x.com/Ghanasoccernet/status/2118615374954418220?s=19

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