By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
The Ghana Football Association has officially announced that Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, will use Providence, Rhode Island as its base camp and primary training location during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The team will be based in Providence, with Bryant University serving as its official training site and camp headquarters.
The Black Stars will train and prepare for their World Cup campaign at Bryant’s modern athletic campus, highlighted by a 43,000-square-foot field house with expansive indoor space designed for elite performance and team training. A state-of-the-art wellness, recovery, and athletic centre to support player conditioning and physical preparation.
State and city officials say these facilities meet the demanding standards required by FIFA for World Cup base camps, offering professional infrastructure for both training and recovery.
The announcement generated significant enthusiasm from Rhode Island officials, who see the selection as both a sporting and cultural opportunity for the state.
James Diossa, General Treasurer of Rhode Island and Chair of the Ocean State 2026 initiative, emphasised Rhode Island’s pride in hosting the Black Stars and spotlighting the state on the global World Cup stage.
Dr. Ross Gittell, President of Bryant University, said the decision reflects the university’s “best-in-class facilities” and global appeal. Governor Daniel McKee welcomed the team’s arrival as an opportunity to boost tourism and international recognition for the region. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley also affirmed the city’s commitment to creating a festive experience for fans and visitors from around the world.
Officials have noted that while training sessions will not be open to the public, community outreach and youth soccer programmes connected to the camp are expected to be announced ahead of the tournament.
Ghana is preparing for its fifth FIFA World Cup appearance after qualifying for the 2026 tournament. The Black Stars are drawn in Group L, with fixtures against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, England on June 23 in Foxborough (Boston Stadium) and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
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