Missing the opener: Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's opening fixture of the World Cup 2026 against Panama on Wednesday.
The former Arsenal midfielder, now at Villarreal, is a vital component of the Black Stars' setup, but he has been forced to look on from afar as his team-mates prepare for the crucial Group L clash in Toronto, Canada.
Entry ban: His absence is due to a Canadian travel ban and visa issues that legally prevent him from entering the North American nation.
Canadian immigration officials denied the footballer a visa, ruling him inadmissible to enter the host country for the tournament.
Reason for restrictions: This entry ban stems from the seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault that Partey is currently facing in the United Kingdom, relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
