Hundreds of supporters turned out in Toronto to welcome Ghana's national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars received a rousing reception from fans in Canada before their opening match against Panama.
Fans gathered outside the team's hotel in downtown Toronto on Monday evening, transforming the area around Lower Simcoe and Bremner Boulevard into a carnival atmosphere. Ghana are one of ten African nations featuring in the tournament, alongside Morocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Asamoah Gyan Joins Celebrations
Former Ghana captain and all-time leading scorer Asamoah Gyan added to the festivities by joining supporters outside the hotel. He led a brief jama session, delighting the crowd and creating a memorable moment. Jama is a popular form of singing and rhythmic chanting among Ghanaian football followers, often accompanied by dancing and percussion.
The turnout came as little surprise, considering that Ontario is home to an estimated 28,000 Canadians of Ghanaian descent. The passion displayed by supporters is expected to continue when Ghana face Panama at BMO Field on Wednesday.
Ghana Seek Positive Start
Ghana enter the tournament hoping to make an immediate impact despite arriving in North America on the back of poor results in friendly matches. The Black Stars have failed to win any of their six preparatory games since qualifying, recording one draw and five defeats.
However, qualification itself offered encouragement after the four-time African champions topped their CAF qualifying group to secure a fifth World Cup appearance. Veteran coach Carlos Queiroz is set to become only the third manager in history to lead teams at five different World Cup tournaments.
Panama qualified for only their second World Cup after emerging as one of two unbeaten teams during CONCACAF qualifying. Thomas Christiansen's side have lost only twice in their last 13 matches, with those defeats coming against Brazil and Mexico.
Huge Support Boosts Black Stars
The scenes in Toronto are likely to provide additional motivation for the Ghanaian players as they seek to improve on their recent World Cup performances. The Black Stars have won only one of their last seven matches at the global showpiece, but the emotional reception from supporters underlined the belief many fans still have in the squad.
For many Ghanaians living in Canada, the arrival of the team represented more than just football. It was an opportunity to celebrate their culture and identity on one of sport's biggest stages.
Following their clash with Panama, the Black Stars will head to Boston for a high-profile showdown with England. Both teams know that securing points in the opening fixture could prove decisive, with England and Croatia completing what many observers regard as a difficult Group L.
