Thomas Partey ready for World Cup debut against England despite visa problems

Two weeks after Ghana arrived in the United States, the country's most prominent player, Thomas Partey, is set to finally start his 2026 World Cup against England. Partey had to miss the opening match against Panama (victory for Ghana) because he was not admitted to Canada after a rejected visa application. During his team's stay in Boston, Partey trained in anticipation of his return.

The reason for the visa refusal lies in serious charges against the player, which have been pending since 2025. Although Partey has pleaded not guilty and his trial is not scheduled until June 2027, his Canadian visa was rejected due to these ongoing proceedings. Canada subsequently announced that he was “inadmissible” as a result of these charges. Attempts to challenge the decision in Canadian courts were unsuccessful.

Because Ghana's second World Cup match is being played on American soil, Partey may play there. During a press conference in Boston, Partey stated that he was 'ready to play' and did not feel extra driven after missing the first game. He indicated that he is feeling good and is looking forward to the match against England.


However, the visa issue could arise again if Ghana qualifies as number two in group L, as the runner-up plays in Toronto, Canada. In the meantime, there is a lot of discussion in the English media about Partey and England internationals should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to shake hands with the midfielder before the match. Both the England team and Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz kept mum about further comments on the situation.

The U.S. The Department of State does not want to comment on individual cases for privacy reasons. There is no indication that Partey's US visa application was completed incorrectly, but incorrect information on official documents can always be a reason to revoke a visa, according to insiders.

Ghana's focus remains on the sporting side: national coach Queiroz confirmed that there will be changes to the line-up. All in all, all eyes will be on Thomas Partey on his return, where media attention will be high during the clash against England.