Hot Source
Organisers of the annual Democracy Cup have confirmed that the 2026 champions will face English Premier League side Sunderland in an international friendly match in England.
The announcement was made on Wednesday evening at Parliament’s D.F. Annan Auditorium in Accra during an event to honour sponsors and partners of the 2025 edition of the competition.
The partnership with Sunderland comes through the collaborative efforts of Primeval Media Limited, organisers of the Democracy Cup, and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin. The English club holds a special connection with Ghana through former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, who played for Sunderland during the 2010–2011 season.
Henry Asante Twum, who moderated the ceremony, broke the news to the audience after receiving clearance from the Speaker of Parliament.
“Through the efforts of the organisers, Primeval Media Limited, and the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker, we have secured a partnership with Sunderland Football Club in England. So, the winner of the next edition will travel to England,” Asante Twum announced.
As part of the partnership, Sunderland presented a framed number three jersey to Speaker Alban Bagbin, symbolising his position as the third most powerful person in Ghana’s political hierarchy.
The Democracy Cup, introduced in 2024, was created to promote peace, unity, and democratic participation through the power of football. It forms part of Parliament’s wider initiative to use sports as a tool for civic engagement and national cohesion.
Hearts of Oak won the 2025 edition in September after beating Great Olympics 1–0 at the University of Ghana Stadium. The Phobians reclaimed the title after losing to Asante Kotoko in the inaugural final in 2024.
Asante Kotoko, winners of the first edition, represented Ghana in the United States, where they faced Major League Soccer side D.C. United in Washington. Organisers say Germany and the United States are also being considered as potential destinations for Hearts of Oak ahead of the next tournament.
The post 2026 Democracy Cup winners to play Sunderland in England appeared first on The Herald ghana.
