Black Stars fans defy setbacks as Ghana opens FIFA World Cup with win

Ghana's Black Stars kicked off their FIFA World Cup campaign weighed down by injuries and visa issues, yet the mood among fans was anything but subdued.

The Black Stars, Ghana's national football team, was without some key players entering its first match on Thursday. The injury to midfielder Mohammed Kudus and the absence of experienced midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied an entry visa into Canada due to an ongoing legal case in Britain, have raised questions about the team's chances.

However, before their match against Panama in Toronto, loyal fans were confident team Ghana will win big to start their World Cup campaign.

"In spite of all the challenges Ghana is facing with Partey not coming, we are so hopeful that we are going to win this game, its going to be 2-0, Ghana is going to win and Ghana is going to move on to the next round and eventually go to the semi-finals," said Ajuman Opong, a Ghana fan.

"Ghana is going to win today. Ghana will win. Do you know my striker Semenyo? We will score two goals," said John Arhi, another fan.

The Black Stars left it very late against Panama, but eventually came away with three precious points, making them and Cote d'Ivoire the only two African teams to get off to winning starts.

It wasn't the goal fest some fans had predicted, but Ghana got the job done, securing a 1-0 win thanks to a late strike from Caleb Yirenkyi.

The victory leaves the Black Stars second in Group L, behind England on goal difference.

Many Ghanaian fans believe their team has what it takes to finish top of Group L.

"After this win, we are going to focus on Croatia and also England, but I am saying we are going to beat England, mark my words, we are going to beat England and we are going to qualify for the semi-finals and even more," said Mensah Johnson, a Ghana supporter.

The 2026 World Cup has also highlighted challenges facing African teams. From visa hurdles to limited resources for preparation, many supporters and players say the playing field remains uneven.

"It has been a challenging few months for us, we have lost a lot of key players. We have lost Jiku, Salisu, Kudus and today we didn't have Thomas Partey with us, so obviously it was going to be a very difficult task, but that is why we have a squad. The guys stepped in and they did really well, we weren't our best in the first half but we managed to keep a clean sheet, we stayed in the game and we had our moment and that's what we did," said Ghana Captain Jordan Ayew post-match.

Quarter-finalists in 2010, Ghana is hoping to go a step further this year. Regardless of how far the Black Stars go, Africa is already winning at this World Cup, with a record 10 teams making their presence felt across the tournament.

Black Stars fans defy setbacks as Ghana opens FIFA World Cup with win

Foreign visitors in multiple Chinese cities immersed themselves in Zongzi-making and dragon boat racing, two traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, gaining a hands-on experience of traditional Chinese culture while sharing the joy of the festival with the local people.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it fell on June 19.

In Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, many foreign visitors took part in local intangible cultural heritage workshops where they got to make Zongzi with their own hands.

"So many people gather together to celebrate this festival and eat together. It's really good," said a visitor from Pakistan.

In Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, international students rolled up their sleeves alongside residents, stuffing rice with fillings, folding bamboo leaves, and tying the bundles with string. They also crafted scented sachets, a traditional item associated with the festival.

"This is my first time making Zongzi. They're stuffed with beans and red dates. The whole process was so fun. Traditional Chinese culture holds deep significance," said a student from Russia.

"Zongzi smelled amazing, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone here felt just like one big family," said a student from Morocco.

Beyond Zongzi-making, foreign visitors in Beijing also raced dragon boats.

"This is my first time seeing such an activity, being involved in some traditional experience. It's good to interact with a lot of people. Riding a boat is very fun as well," said a visitor from Brazil.

Foreigners in China experience Duanwu Festival customs