The US Embassy in Ghana organised a specialised training programme for journalists ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The event, held in Accra on Wednesday by the embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section, brought together media practitioners preparing to report on the global football tournament.
Speaking at the programme, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Rolf Olson said the training aimed to help prepare journalists capture stories beyond the action on the pitch.
“Today’s training was designed to help you prepare for the unique challenges and opportunities that come with global mega-events like the World Cup,” he said.
Mr Olson told participants that maintaining professionalism was important in telling stories surrounding the tournament.
“Your commitment to professional development and ethical journalism is essential, not only for your own success, but for the credibility and impact on a global stage. You have a story behind the world’s biggest game,” he added.
He also encouraged journalists and football fans planning to travel to the United States for the tournament to apply early for visas.
Mr Olson said the embassy had recently brought in additional staff to help process visa applications, allowing appointments to be scheduled within a week something he described as unusual compared with previous demand levels.
“Please don’t wait,” he urged applicants, warning that the additional staffing that has eased processing times may not be permanent.
He noted that most visitors to the United States are allowed to stay for up to six months, which he said provides sufficient time for tourism, family visits and attending football matches.
Mr Olson also thanked the programme’s speakers Henry Asante Twum, Eva Okyere and Gary Al-Smith for sharing their expertise with journalists.
“We are very grateful for your insights and your commitment to advancing the skills of journalism,” he said.
Celebrating US independence
Mr Olson also noted that the United States would mark the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026, under a nationwide commemoration branded “Freedom 250”.
The anniversary is traditionally celebrated on Independence Day on 4 July, but Mr Olson said events in Accra would be held earlier because of the World Cup schedule.
With group matches and knockout fixtures expected to overlap with the national holiday, embassy officials decided to move celebrations forward to avoid scheduling conflicts.
“We checked the calendar and marked the days when Ghana and the US have matches,” he said, explaining that the knockout stage begins shortly before 4 July, making planning uncertain.
The training forms part of broader efforts to prepare media professionals to cover the stories surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America.
