George Sakyi, a Regina resident and chief economist at Economic Development Regina, experienced a dream come true when he won free tickets to the FIFA World Cup match between Ghana and Panama in Toronto on June 17, 2026. The 32-year-old soccer enthusiast, who moved from Ghana to Saskatchewan in 2017, described his excitement as overwhelming upon learning he would attend his first World Cup game.
Winning the Tickets
On June 8, Sakyi received an email from the Ghana High Commission of Canada inviting interested individuals to respond for a chance to win two tickets to the match. He entered the raffle, hoping to secure seats for himself and his younger sister, Arianne, who was visiting from Ghana for the summer. The high commission later revealed that over 50,000 email requests had been submitted, making the selection highly competitive.
Initially skeptical, Sakyi thought the notification might be a scam. “I thought someone was playing with me,” he said. However, after receiving a follow-up message from the Ghana Football Association and verifying the tickets through the FIFA app on June 14, his doubts turned to joy. “I was like, ‘Wow, I get to go to the World Cup,’” he recalled. “I was so full of excitement, just looking forward to the game.”
Game Day Experience
Having already purchased plane tickets to Toronto for the World Cup festivities, Sakyi and his sister flew to the city and immersed themselves in the pre-game atmosphere. They joined 300 to 400 fans at Sankofa Square (formerly Dundas Square), singing, clapping, and dancing. Arriving 90 minutes before kickoff, they secured seats in the second row of the stadium, offering an up-close view of the Ghanaian squad.
The match itself was a nail-biter, with Ghana securing a 1-0 victory over Panama through a last-minute goal. “The team was defending, defending, defending and last minute, when we got a chance, we scored a goal,” Sakyi described. He added that watching his home country win was a bonus, but the overall experience was unforgettable. “I was just happy to be there to soak up the atmosphere.”
Impact on Sakyi and His Sister
Both Sakyi and his sister Arianne are avid soccer players and fans. Arianne plays on the soccer team at her medical university in Ghana, while Sakyi is taking a coaching course with the Queen City United Soccer Club. The tickets served as the perfect culmination of their shared passion for the sport. Sakyi noted that the atmosphere at the game was “spiritual,” highlighting the deep connection he felt to his heritage and the global soccer community.
Looking Ahead
Despite Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Croatia on Saturday, Sakyi remains hopeful that the team will advance to the playoffs. He plans to watch Ghana’s next match against Colombia on Friday from Regina, cheering from home. Reflecting on his experience, Sakyi expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the memories created with his sister, emphasizing that the win against Panama was a highlight of his life.
