Black Stars Touch Down in Rhode Island: Governor McKee Promises 'Five-Star' Hospitality for World Cup Campaign

Rhode Island has officially rolled out the red carpet for Ghana's Black Stars as they begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. A flag-raising ceremony in Providence on Monday marked the team's arrival, with the state's top officials promising a memorable stay.

Governor Daniel McKee said his team was honoured to host Ghana at Bryant University during the tournament. “Today’s flag-raising represents what this tournament is all about — bringing people together,” he said. He urged Rhode Islanders to embrace the visiting fans, players, and officials for the next five weeks.

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, delivered a stirring message at the event. “Today they carry with them the hopes, prayers and aspirations of our entire nation,” he said. “They wear not merely a football jersey; they wear the colours, pride and identity of Ghana.”

Smith reminded the players that their presence on the global stage extends beyond football. “Every pass, every tackle, every goal and every act of sportsmanship will reflect the character and the spirit of our nation.” He also urged them to represent the African continent, noting that millions across Africa would be cheering them on.

“Every pass, every tackle, every goal and every act of sportsmanship will reflect the character and the spirit of our nation.”

Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa described Ghana’s selection of the state as a base camp as a proud moment. “When we got the word in early January that Ghana selected Rhode Island, we felt like we had won the World Cup,” he said. Diossa noted that state officials had spent months preparing for Ghana’s arrival, including outreach to strengthen ties between Rhode Island and Ghana.

The Ghana Embassy in the United States will set up consular pop-up stations in Boston and Philadelphia to assist Ghanaian fans. The embassy said it's working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of supporters traveling to watch the Black Stars.

The Black Stars are based at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where they'll train and prepare for their group-stage matches. The team's first game is scheduled for later this week, though the exact opponent and date haven't been announced.

For Ghanaian fans in the diaspora, this is a rare chance to see the Black Stars play on American soil. The team will be looking to improve on their 2022 performance in Qatar, where they were eliminated in the group stage.