World Cup: US Embassy Denies Visas to 147 Ghanaians Seeking to Support Black Stars
- The quest by 147 Ghanaians to travel to the US to support the national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ended in regret
- Sannie Daara announced that only three people out of a group of 150 people who applied for US visas had been approved
- Social media users who took to the comments section of the post shared their views on Ghanaians being refused visas
- Akua Poku, an immigration lawyer, has enlightened Ghanaians on the issuance of US visas
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The desire of some ardent Ghanaian football fans to be in the US to cheer for the Black Stars at the 2026 World Cup has suffered a setback.
This comes after they were reportedly refused the necessary documentation by the US Embassy.
Source: Getty Images
Veteran Ghanaian media personality Sannie Daara took to Facebook to shed light on the matter on Monday, May 11.
Narrating what happened, he explained that a group sent 150 Ghanaian supporters to the US Embassy for visas.
He said that out of that number, only three people were issued visas despite meeting all the requirements.
Sannie Daara expressed concern over the reported incident of Ghanaians being denied visas to watch the World Cup in the USA.
“A group sent 150 Ghanaian supporters to the US Embassy for World Cup visas. Only 3 people got approved despite meeting all the requirements set by the US Embassy. At this rate, the #BlackStars may have more players in America than Ghanaian fans in the stands. The embassy didn’t just deny visas, they played a low block, counter-pressed, and eliminated 147 supporters before kick-off,” the post read in part.
Source: Getty Images
The World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, will kick off on June 11.
The senior national team will play Panama, England, and Portugal in the group stage, with some of the games set to be played in the US.
The Facebook post by Sannie Daara about the visa refusal is below:
Immigration lawyer advises Ghanaians on visa denials
Sharing her expert views on visa issuance, US-based immigration lawyer Akua Poku explained that most appeals are not done when visas are refused. She rather indicated that applicants who are unsuccessful in securing a US visa should reapply if meaningful changes have been made.
“In most cases, there is no appeal of a visa refusal, particularly when the refusal is issued under INA 214(b). An applicant may reapply, but only if there has been a meaningful change in circumstances or stronger evidence addressing the original reason for refusal.”
Reaction to US visa refusal for Ghanaians
Social media users who took to the comment section of the post shared their views regarding the US visa issuance for the World Cup.
Ganiu Koka stated:
“We told Ghanaians, especially some journalists, but they wouldn’t listen. Someone like Sports Obama with a massive following would openly post that the Black Stars’ qualification is the hope of Ghanaians’ dream of America. Journalists openly stated similar things on live TV. Funny people. Gyimii dɔɔso wɔ kurom ha dodo.”
Abdul Mateen Osman opined:
“They should just sponsor our tickets and we will turn up in our numbers. Plenty Ghanaians dey here already.”
Ruth Nana Yaba-Nuama Eshemele added:
“It shouldn’t be a problem. We have a lot of Ghanaians here in the States and Canada to support the Black Stars. I am sure the agencies processing the documents know that many won’t get the visa, so why let them waste money?”
US cautions Ghanaians over visa fraud
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that the US cautioned Ghanaians and other foreign nationals regarding travel to the country.
The US State Department warned prospective applicants against the use of fraudulent documents in the visa application process.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
