The city of Accra has been officially named as the host for the inaugural One Humanity International Beach Soccer Festival, set to take place from May 8th to 10th, 2026.
The international tournament is inspired by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) One Humanity Campaign.
This campaign uses sport to promote unity, dialogue, and shared values among people. The UN Resident Director in Accra for International Migration, Madam Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, explained this connection as the keynote speaker at the launch.
The festival will feature the national beach soccer teams of Ghana, Nigeria, England, and Germany. The event aims to be a major gathering, turning Ghana’s coastline into a center for top-level sport, business networking, music, fashion, and cultural exchange.
The tournament is being organized with Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), the global governing body for the sport. A core goal is to position beach soccer as a “sport-for-impact.” This means the event will mix high-level competition with community activities. These will include a fan zone, community beach clean-ups, fitness health walks, and a large outdoor concert celebrating youth, fashion, and unity.
Banasco Nuhu Seidu, Executive Director of NASCO Feeding Minds and the Lead Organiser, stated that the tournament is part of a long-term plan for sport in Ghana. “This is more than a tournament. It is about legacy, opportunity and using sport to unite communities and inspire young people,” he said.
The Director General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, welcomed the news. With over 15 years of involvement in beach soccer, he described the event as timely and strategic. He believes it will attract a wide range of business interests and investment. “Beach soccer offers a unique opportunity to activate our coastline beyond sports while showcasing Ghana’s readiness to host any world-class international sporting event,” he said.
The Chairman of the Ghana Football Association Beach Soccer Committee, Mr. Gyamfi Kusi Awere, highlighted the benefits for local players. “This tournament provides vital international exposure for our players and strengthens Ghana’s place within the global beach soccer ecosystem,” he emphasized.
Further details regarding the specific venue, match schedules, and official side activities will be announced in the coming weeks.