Thomas Partey has played 57 times for Ghana and has 15 goals and eight assists for the African giant. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ghana will aim to kick off its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a win as it faces Panama in a Group L clash in Toronto on Wednesday.

The Black Stars come into the tournament under head coach Carlos Queiroz, who will make his fifth consecutive appearance in the quadrennial tournament. However, Ghana’s squad for the Panama clash does not feature its vice-captain.

Why is Thomas Partey not playing in Ghana vs Panama in the FIFA World Cup 2026?

According to reports from the Canadian press, a Federal High Court in the country upheld the decision to deny Thomas Partey’s entry into Canada due to visa issues.

The Arsenal midfielder’s visa issues are due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK involving seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with a trial scheduled for later this year.

It remains to be seen if the 33-year-old is eligible to play Ghana’s remaining matches in the group stage of the World Cup.

Partey has played 57 times for Ghana and has 15 goals and eight assists for the African giant.

Ghana plays England in Boston after the Panama clash on June 23, followed by a match against Croatia four days later.

Published on Jun 18, 2026