Thomas Partey has broken his silence after being denied entry into Canada for Ghana's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama. The former Arsenal midfielder is now back in contention to play against England in the second Group L game on June 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Visa Denial and Appeal Rejection
Canadian immigration authorities denied Partey an entry visa for the match against Panama due to ongoing sexual assault charges in England. The Ghanaian government appealed the decision, but it was rejected. According to The Guardian, Partey had incorrectly claimed on his initial application that he had no pending criminal charges.
Ghana managed a 1-0 win over Panama without Partey, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring the late winner. However, the midfield showed signs of his absence, and the team returned to the United States for their second group game.
Partey's Statement on His Condition
Speaking at a pitch-side interview after training, Partey provided an update on his condition and the team's atmosphere. "I'm okay, I'm feeling good, we've been training good, everybody is ready. I think we are here to try our best to compete with the rest of the team, and I think preparation is key," he said.
He added, "I think the emotions in our camp were really good after the game. I think everybody is here to enjoy. We're going into this [England] game knowing we will compete against the best players. This is why we are here: to compete against the best and also to learn. We would give our best."
Partey on Visa Issue and Facing Declan Rice
Partey acknowledged that the visa issue is behind him, describing it as beyond his control. "It is part of football; things happen in football that you cannot control. For me now, I feel okay, and I'm ready to play," he stated.
He also looked forward to facing former Arsenal teammate Declan Rice in midfield. "I know it's not going to be easy, he [Declan Rice] is a very good player. I'm happy to be playing against him again."
Coach Queiroz's Response
Head coach Carlos Queiroz declined to comment specifically on Partey's return, instead focusing on the team. "Along my life, I never talk individually about players. I only talk about one specific player in my team, which is the team," he said via GFA when asked about Partey.
Supercomputer Prediction
Legit.ng previously reported that Opta's supercomputer ran 25,000 pre-game simulations for the England vs Ghana match, predicting an overwhelming win for Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions over the Black Stars.
