IN BRIEF
- Some members of the Ghanaian diaspora are excited about the country’s prospects in this year’s World Cup.
- Ghana will face Panama in the side’s first match of the tournament, which kicks off at 9am AEST Thursday.
Yaw Derkyi, the organizing secretary for the Ghana Association of NSW, has extended a warm invitation to all Australians to join the Ghanaian community in watching Ghana’s inaugural World Cup match. He does, however, offer a lively warning: attendees should be ready for an experience filled with drumming and singing.
“Prepare yourself for an energetic atmosphere,” Derkyi shared with SBS News. “We’re going to chant in a call-and-response style. It’s a spiritual chant that brings out the vibes and enlivens everyone.” This is how the Ghanaian community in Sydney plans to celebrate as their team faces Panama, with the match set to begin at 9 a.m. AEST tomorrow.
Derkyi holds an optimistic view of Ghana’s chances in the tournament. “This year, we’re coming with a full attack,” he declared confidently. “We’re here to surprise the world, the entire world.”
He added with a touch of humor, “We’re taking the cup home to use for making coffee, tea, Milo—everything. Because soccer is our nourishment, man.”
“We are taking the cup home to make coffee, tea, Milo, everything in that cup. Because soccer is our food, man.”
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Beneath the confidence, the community is somewhat on edge about the team’s upcoming World Cup matches — although that might just be the excitement.
“Oh man, the whole community is sweating at the moment. I know the weather is cold, but we are sweating,” he said.
Ghana’s Black Stars sit 73rd in the FIFA rankings after a stretch of poor showings which included their failure to qualify for last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the side topped their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying group.
The four-time AFCON champions have recruited veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz to help turn the tide and guide the country to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010.
In that year’s tournament, Ghana bowed out in the quarter-finals after a penalty-shootout loss to Uruguay.
With the team’s talisman, Mohammed Kudus, missing the 2026 World Cup due to injury, Ghana will count on Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo to lead a strong attack.
After signing with the club in January, the 26-year-old netted 11 goals across all competitions, including the winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The team will also be short midfielder Thomas Partey, whose visa application to enter Canada was refused, leaving him unavailable for the Group L match at Toronto Stadium.
The 2026 World Cup has also seen the biggest expansion in the tournament’s 96-year history, with 48 countries competing, up from 32 teams.
In addition to a more complex logistical juggle for host nations, it also means that a greater slice of Australia’s diverse range of diaspora communities can get involved.
Derkyi said that, for those interested in joining the Ghanaian revelry tomorrow morning, ALEX&Co. Restaurant & Bar in Parramatta will be one place to join the fun.
He’ll certainly be joining his community to watch the match.
“Of course, because I’m the one bringing over the drums and all the vibes.”
With additional reporting by the Reuters news agency.
You can watch all 104 games of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
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