By Our Reporter
Ghana will have to navigate their opening match of the FIFA World Cup without one of their most experienced players after Thomas Partey was ruled out of the Black Stars’ clash against Panama in Toronto.
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The 32-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Villarreal, has been denied entry into Canada after his visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities. As a result, Partey will miss Ghana’s Group L opener at BMO Field on June 17.
The setback comes as Ghana prepares for a crucial start to its World Cup campaign. Partey was included in the squad earlier this month and travelled with the team to the United States, where the Black Stars have established their training base ahead of the tournament.
FIFA confirmed that the governing body had no involvement in Canada’s visa decision, noting that host governments retain the authority to determine entry requirements for all visitors, including players participating in international tournaments.
While Partey will be unavailable against Panama, he remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s remaining group matches in the United States. The Black Stars face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23 before taking on Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.
The absence of the experienced midfielder presents an early challenge for Ghana, which had hoped to rely on Partey’s leadership and experience in midfield during the tournament. The former Arsenal player has been a regular figure for the national team and made 32 appearances for Villarreal during the 2025-26 season.
Ghana’s coaching staff will now be forced to adjust their plans for the tournament opener as they seek a positive result against Panama before entering two high-profile encounters against England and Croatia.
Partey’s inability to travel to Canada stems from ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. However, he has not been convicted of any offence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. His case is expected to be heard at Southwark Crown Court in London.
For now, Ghana’s focus shifts to finding the right balance in midfield as they begin their quest to advance from a challenging World Cup group without one of their most influential players.
