Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak are expected to receive a significant financial boost from FIFA following the inclusion of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Phobians are poised to benefit from FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, which compensates clubs for releasing players to represent their national teams at the World Cup.
Benjamin Asare is currently the only locally based player named in Ghana’s squad, placing Hearts of Oak in a unique position among Ghanaian clubs ahead of the global tournament.
Under FIFA’s compensation structure, clubs receive daily payments for players released for national team assignments during the World Cup period, including pre-tournament camping and the competition itself.
With Ghana expected to spend several weeks at the tournament, Hearts of Oak could earn at least 250,000 dollars from the programme even if the Black Stars fail to progress beyond the group stage. The amount is expected to increase should Ghana advance further in the competition.
The expected windfall comes as a major boost for the club at a time many Ghana Premier League sides continue to face financial challenges relating to player welfare, infrastructure and operational costs.
Benjamin Asare’s rise has also become one of the biggest stories in Ghana football over the past year after establishing himself as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the domestic league.
The former Great Olympics shot-stopper earned his place in the Black Stars setup through a series of impressive performances for Hearts of Oak and eventually cemented his position during Ghana’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
His inclusion in the World Cup squad is not only being viewed as a personal achievement for the goalkeeper but also a major endorsement of the quality still existing within the Ghana Premier League.
FIFA introduced the Club Benefits Programme to reward clubs that contribute to the development and release of players for international competitions. The programme has become an important source of revenue for clubs across the world, especially those outside Europe’s top leagues.
For Hearts of Oak, the financial reward is expected to provide additional support as the club prepares for the upcoming football season and continues efforts to strengthen its squad and operations.
