NSA denies involvement in $623,000 World Cup visa scam as police investigation looms

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has moved to distance itself from allegations that individuals associated with the body received approximately $623,000 from Ghanaians seeking assistance with United States and Canadian visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 15 September, the NSA firmly denied any institutional involvement in visa facilitation or money collection schemes, stating it had "categorically denies establishing, authorising or operating any office at the stadium for the collection of money or facilitation of visas."

The denial comes after reports surfaced that people claiming connections to the NSA had collected substantial sums from prospective World Cup travellers under the guise of securing official travel documentation. A petition concerning the alleged transactions was reportedly filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on 8 September.

Clarifying the TRIBE FEST partnership

The NSA sought to clarify its working relationship with TRIBE FEST, a FIFA-licensed organisation involved in World Cup-related activities. According to the statement, TRIBE FEST operates as an authorised partner for fan experience activities, World Cup viewing events and event mobilisation in collaboration with the NSA, Ghana Tourism Authority and other stakeholders.

However, the Authority emphasised that this partnership "did not extend to authorise TRIBE FEST, any NSA employee or any other person to collect money for the procurement of visas on behalf of the NSA."

The distinction appears crucial, as it suggests that whilst the NSA works with legitimate FIFA partners, those entities were never granted permission to engage in visa-related financial transactions on the Authority's behalf.

Why it matters for Ghana

This incident highlights a serious vulnerability in Ghana's World Cup preparations and exposes citizens to potential financial exploitation. With the 2026 tournament approaching, many Ghanaians are eager to travel to North America, making them susceptible to scams involving false promises of visa assistance.

The allegations underline the importance of Ghanaians conducting visa applications through official government channels and recognised immigration services rather than intermediaries claiming institutional connections. The NSA's public distancing from the scheme, whilst necessary for institutional reputation, also reflects broader concerns about fraud in major sporting events.

The involvement of the CID suggests authorities are treating the matter seriously. If individuals used the NSA's name or institutional positioning to defraud citizens, those responsible face potential criminal charges.

Next steps and cooperation

The NSA confirmed it has not yet received formal notification from the police regarding the petition's full details but pledged complete cooperation with any lawful investigation. Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah and other officers have made themselves available to assist if invited by law enforcement.

The Authority stated that if investigations establish wrongdoing by employees or connected parties, those individuals should face justice in accordance with Ghanaian law. The NSA further urged media and the public to avoid treating unverified allegations as established facts whilst investigations proceed.

Prospective World Cup travellers should verify visa requirements directly with the embassies of the United States and Canada or through officially recognised immigration consultants, rather than relying on third-party intermediaries claiming NSA connections.