Partey Canada ban sparks World Cup fairness debate

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the 2026 World Cup opener against host nation Canada after being barred from entering the country – a decision tied to past legal issues that threatens to upend Group A and ignite a diplomatic row over visa fairness. Partey, the Arsenal star and Ghana's midfield anchor, was denied entry despite being named in the squad. The ban appears connected to unresolved legal matters, though specifics remain unclear.

Without Partey, Ghana loses its most creative outlet, a blow that could tilt the tournament's opening match decisively toward the hosts. Critics argue the ban gives Canada an unfair competitive advantage, as host nations control visa approvals. 'It raises serious questions about whether off-field procedures can alter on-field balance,' one governance analyst noted.