Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has revived the idea of a joint FIFA World Cup bid with Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, arguing that the three West African neighbours have the appetite and foundational infrastructure to host the tournament together.

Adams pointed to FIFA’s clear shift toward multi-nation hosting as the key enabler. The 2026 World Cup is being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the 2030 edition will involve Morocco, Spain and Portugal alongside centenary matches in South America. With Saudi Arabia confirmed as sole host for 2034, the earliest realistic target for a West African coalition is the 2038 tournament.

The proposal builds on recent hosting experience in the region. Côte d’Ivoire staged the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, leaving behind upgraded stadiums and tournament infrastructure. Nigeria has invested heavily in venues following its own AFCON hosting, while Ghana’s delivery of the delayed 2023 African Games in 2024 reinforced its capacity to organise large-scale events. Adams argues that these combined credentials give the trio a credible platform to present a future bid to FIFA.

The discussion comes as African football enjoys a strong global profile. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised the continent’s representation at the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the performances of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo. She also expressed hope that Nigeria would qualify for the next edition after missing out on the 2026 finals, having lost to DR Congo in the African play-off.

For now, there are no formal talks between the three governments or football associations, but Adams has called for government-level engagement, regional collaboration and initial consultations with FIFA. He believes that by pooling resources, venues and logistical capabilities, Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire can craft a compelling case to bring the World Cup to West Africa for the first time.