Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey denied visa for 2026 World Cup opener

Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be without key midfielder Thomas Partey after a Canadian court rejected his visa appeal, preventing him from entering Canada for the Group L game against Panama. The judge said Partey failed to provide a strong legal basis and could not allay concerns stemming from prior allegations. Ghana will face Panama on June 17 and then England and Croatia, with his absence described as a major blow to the squad.

In related World Cup commentary, former Indian international Mehṭab Husain said that true greatness comes from helping one’s national team win a World Cup, not just club success. He highlighted past champions and noted that fans across Kolkata now support teams such as Portugal, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, France, and Brazil‑based players, reflecting the tournament’s broad appeal.