Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie believes the forced absence of Thomas Partey from the Black Stars' 2026 FIFA World Cup opener could be the exact catalyst Ghana needs to spark a memorable tournament run.

Speaking on Adom FM, Afriyie urged the squad to channel their frustration into on-pitch inspiration after Canada denied the 32-year-old midfielder entry for the Group L opener against Panama in Toronto on June 17.

"I think the players will step up for Thomas Partey," Afriyie stated during his radio appearance. "This decision must inspire the players to play for the country and for themselves."

Afriyie drew a direct parallel to the Black Stars’ iconic 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, reminding fans that Ghana famously marched all the way to the quarter-finals despite losing talismanic midfielder Michael Essien to an injury on the eve of the tournament.

While trying to find the silver lining for the team's morale, the former GFA official did not hide his frustration with Canadian authorities, fiercely questioning the legal basis of the visa rejection.

"What happened to not guilty until proven guilty?" Afriyie asked.

The Border Block in Toronto

The controversy erupted after Canada’s government rejected Partey's visa application, a decision FIFA subsequently upheld by noting that host nations retain absolute authority over their borders.

The entry denial is tied to active legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where the midfielder faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has strongly maintained his innocence, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has no criminal convictions.

Before the team departed for their camp, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz staunchly defended picking the midfielder, stating it was not his job to act as a judge and that the ongoing case should simply follow its legal course.

Moving Forward

Fortunately for Ghana, the travel restriction only applies to the match hosted on Canadian soil. Because the remainder of Ghana's group stage schedule takes place in the United States, Partey remains fully eligible to rejoin the lineup for the following pivotal fixtures:

- June 23: vs. England (Boston)

- June 27: vs. Croatia (Philadelphia)