Ghana’s preparations for their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a significant setback, with reports indicating that midfielder Thomas Partey will be unavailable for the Black Stars’ clash against Panama after being denied entry into Canada.
According to reports from Dan Sheldon of The Athletic, Partey has not been granted access to the country and will therefore be unable to feature in Ghana’s first Group Stage match, scheduled for June 17. The experienced midfielder is also expected to miss out on the matchday squad entirely.
The development comes as a major blow for Ghana, who were expected to rely heavily on Partey’s leadership, experience, and quality in midfield. As one of the team’s most influential players over the past decade, his absence leaves a significant gap in the Black Stars’ setup ahead of a crucial opening fixture.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz now faces the challenge of reshuffling his midfield plans just days before Ghana begins its World Cup campaign. The Portuguese tactician will likely turn to other options within his squad to fill the void left by the former captain.
While details surrounding the reported denial of entry remain unclear, the situation has sparked concern among Ghanaian supporters, many of whom were eager to see one of the country’s biggest stars lead the team on football’s biggest stage.
Ghana will now look to put the distraction behind them and focus on securing a positive result against Panama as they seek a strong start to their World Cup journey.
The Black Stars are aiming to progress from a competitive group and will hope that the absence of one of their key players does not derail their ambitions at the tournament.
