President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, says the Black Stars are extremely determined to rewrite our story as Ghana prepares for its 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday.

Speaking during Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s visit to the team hotel in Toronto on Tuesday, President Simeon-Okraku said the players and technical team are ready for the challenge at BMO Field.

“One thing is very clear, these boys here, led by Captain Jordan Ayew, are extremely determined to rewrite our story,” President Okraku said. “The 26-plus players that you see here and the technical team are ready. Tomorrow is the day they've been waiting for. Tomorrow is the day they've been preparing for.”

He stressed the weight of national expectation on the team as Ghana begins its fifth World Cup campaign.

“We say in Ghana we have 30 million-plus people. And I can tell you, Your Excellency, for a fact that we have 30 million-plus coaches in Ghana. And we also have 30 million-plus supporters, fans of this team called the Black Stars,” he said.

“This is how important this team is to Ghanaians. And our players here, our technical team led by Coach Carlos Queiroz, are fully aware of the expectations of the country to play well.”

President Simeon-Okraku said Wednesday will mark the moment the team steps onto the world stage again.

“Tomorrow will be the day they walk through that tunnel onto the green turf to fight for glory for Mother Ghana.”

Ghana faces Panama at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 17, in their Group L opener at BMO Field / Toronto Stadium.