Ghanaians are counting on the Black Stars to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, not only for national pride but also for the opportunities and financial windfall it promises.

FIFA has earmarked $355 million under its Club Benefits Programme to reward clubs whose players feature at the tournament.

Great Olympics General Manager, Eric Alagidede, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure that at least four locally based players are included in the World Cup squad so Ghanaian clubs can benefit from the payout.

“If we make a list of 23 players, you know how many of them will end up playing at the World Cup? A maximum of 20. Those who actually get playing time — maybe 18. If we go far, perhaps 19. So what happens to the rest of the slots? People are just going to make up the numbers,” Alagidede told Joy Sports.

“It’s a lot of money coming in, and that’s why I’m saying there should be a deliberate policy from those at the top. When that money starts trickling down, look, we can have a whole conversation about this.

“We can have an MoU signed among all 18 Premier League clubs. It may be your player from Medeama, it may be your player from Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak — Benjamin Asare — not necessarily Division One, but it could be anywhere. When the money comes, there should be a deliberate attempt to share it among the clubs in the league. I’m telling you, we’ll make no less than a million dollars.”

Currently, two local players — Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and Medeama midfielder Prince Owusu — are part of the Black Stars squad. Ghana lead Group I with 19 points and need four more to confirm qualification for their fifth World Cup.