From The Stands To The Stage: Ghana’s Music Is Having Its World Cup Moment

As the Black Stars of Ghana battle for progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, another Ghanaian export is travelling alongside the Black Stars: music. 

From traditional jama chants in the stands to the growing popularity of DopeNation’s Kakalika and the appearance of Ghanaian artistes on official World Cup platforms, music has become an important part of the country’s football identity.

The connection between football and music is not new in Ghana. For decades, supporters have used drums, chants and call-and-response songs to create an atmosphere that distinguishes Ghanaian fans from many others.

But this year’s tournament has once again demonstrated how deeply intertwined the country’s sporting and cultural expressions have become.

Away from the football, Ghanaian musicians have also secured a place at one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Ghanaian rapper M.anifest and British-Ghanaian producer-DJ Juls were added to the entertainment lineup for the FIFA World Cup Group Stage Headquarters programme in New York, joining international stars including Nas, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean and Ella Mai.

M.anifest performed on June 12 as part of the official fan experience surrounding the tournament, further extending Ghana’s cultural footprint beyond football.

The event forms part of FIFA’s efforts to combine sport, music and fan engagement during the World Cup.

For Ghanaian supporters, seeing their artistes featured on official World Cup stages is another indication that the country’s creative industries are increasingly finding global audiences.

In Canada, where Ghana played their first group-stage match, the supporters carried their familiar traditions with them.

Marketing executive and football supporter Alberto Paanii, who is in Canada for the tournament, described scenes of drumming, dancing and jama performances that united Ghanaians living abroad.

According to him, supporters organised boat cruises, community events and fan gatherings ahead of the match, with music serving as the common language among fans from different backgrounds.

He argued that jama itself deserves greater recognition.

“Why is jama not a genre of music?” he asked during an interview on Big Convo segment on the Culture Daily Morning show on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM.

Alberto Paanii said the rhythmic drumming and chanting associated with Ghanaian football support have become instantly recognisable and could potentially be developed and promoted internationally as a unique Ghanaian musical product.

He also described music as the force that brings Ghanaian supporters together whenever they travel to tournaments.

“You don’t see the rich from the poor. Everybody’s clapping and jamming and dancing,” he said.

Alongside traditional chants, contemporary Ghanaian music is also finding a place in football celebrations.

DopeNation’s Kakalika has also become a major soundtrack for Ghanaian supporters during the World Cup.

According to Alberto Paanii, every time organisers referenced Ghanaian supporters or the Ghana team, the song was played over the loudspeakers. He said fans responded enthusiastically whenever the song came on, especially after Ghana scored.

The song’s popularity in football circles did not begin at the World Cup.

 Several major football clubs, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, PSG had previously celebrated their La Liga and Champions League victories with the song, helping to give it international exposure long before the world cup.

The growing use of the song reflects a wider pattern in modern football, where music increasingly becomes attached to sporting moments and fan identities.

The scenes witnessed in Canada also highlighted the role football can play in projecting Ghana’s culture abroad.

Alberto Paanii recounted how Ghanaian supporters continued singing and dancing at Toronto’s Sankofa Square hours after the match, attracting the attention of other residents and even local police.

According to him, some non-Ghanaians eventually joined the celebrations and danced to the music.

Such moments demonstrate how football tournaments can become platforms for cultural exchange.

International competitions are no longer defined solely by what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch. Music, food, fashion and fan traditions increasingly shape the experience of major tournaments.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup itself has embraced that approach, combining football with music and entertainment programmes across host cities.

Back in Ghana, football and music have continued to intersect on social media, with songs by artistes like Kofi Kinaata being used in videos and fan celebrations linked to the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign.

Kofi Kinaata released his new Black Stars anthem, titled Black Stars, just weeks before the World Cup. The track has quickly become a rallying point for national team support, with streaming platforms driving its breakout success.

Audiomack officially tracked the song crossing 1 million streams within two weeks of release, leading the charge on its rankings.

Boomplay Ghana also listed it as a major top-trending entry for national team support, while the anthem established a strong presence on Apple Music, making its top 20.

On social media, the song is featured in almost every sports content as well taking over all sports related shows on both radio and on TV.