Midfielder Thomas Partey says he is fully prepared to face England in the Black Stars’ second FIFA World Cup 2026 match after missing the team’s opening fixture against Panama.
The former Arsenal midfielder was unable to travel to Canada for Ghana’s World Cup opener after being denied entry by Canadian authorities due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.
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Despite the setback, the 33-year-old, who now plays for Villarreal, has been cleared to enter the United States and is expected to feature when Ghana takes on England in Boston on Tuesday.
“It’s part of football,” Partey said. “Things happen outside football that you cannot control. For me now, I feel OK and ready to play.”
In a statement last week, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that although it was aware of the pending court case involving the midfielder, he had not been convicted of any offence and was subsequently granted a visa to enter the country.
Meanwhile, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed confidence in his side ahead of the high-profile encounter, insisting his players are highly motivated.
“This is the easiest type of match because when you’re about to play against England, France, or Germany, you don’t need to say anything to the players,” Queiroz said.
“Everybody is fully switched on, and everybody wants to perform well.”
Ghana will be hoping Partey’s return adds experience and stability to the team as the Black Stars seek another positive result in their quest to progress beyond the group stage.