Partey out as Ghana open World Cup against Panama

Partey out of the opener, appeal fails

Thomas Partey will not play against Panama. The appeal to Canadian authorities was rejected, and Ghana's most important midfielder is ruled out of the World Cup opener (6). Canadian officials had denied Partey a visa over sexual assault allegations and a forthcoming trial in the UK (4). The Ghanaian government filed a legal challenge, but it did not work. The match goes ahead without him.

Ghana vs Panama, Wednesday night into Thursday

Your World Cup starts tonight. Ghana face Panama in Toronto in the Group L opener, kicking off in the night heading into Thursday June 18 (1) (2) (3). A win here is non-negotiable with England and Croatia waiting in the group. The squad is in Canada preparing, but the Partey saga has been the story of the week (4).

England vs Croatia kicks off Group L

The other Group L match is Wednesday night at 22:00, England against Croatia (8). Thomas Tuchel called it an "extraordinary chance" and said he will do everything to make the country proud (8). Harry Kane starts. Modric and Kovacic are in for Croatia. Whatever happens in Toronto, the group picture will be clearer by morning.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood in the Ghana preview thread on r/soccer is frustration with a hint of defiance. u/mikears3349 laid out the full chaos around the team, from the Partey visa battle to the government's protest, and the thread reads like a fanbase exhausted by the off-field drama but still hoping the squad can pull something together on the pitch. Read the full preview here.