Leicester City winger Fatawu Issahaku has spoken with conviction about Ghana's ability to advance from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage despite the absence of midfielder Thomas Partey from the team's opening fixture against Panama - delivering a rallying message from within the squad as the Black Stars prepare for the most consequential match Ghana has played in 12 years.
Modern Ghana reported Issahaku's comments on June 16, 2026, confirming that the young winger expressed full belief in the collective quality of the squad and the tactical framework that coach Carlos Queiroz has built over his tenure. Issahaku, who has established himself as one of Ghana's most technically gifted wide players, argued that the team's preparation, organization, and determination are sufficient to compete effectively even without Partey for the Canada-based fixture.
The Black Stars face Panama on June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto - a venue where Partey will be absent after Canada refused to grant him a temporary resident visa due to pending criminal charges in the United Kingdom, as confirmed by FIFA in a statement first published by The Athletic and widely covered by ESPN and Sky Sports. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial is not scheduled until June 2027, according to Newsweek.
Ghana's full squad for the tournament, as published by the Olympics.com World Cup guide, includes goalkeepers Lawrence Ati-Zigi of St. Gallen, Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, and Joseph Anang of St. Mirren. The outfield players available provide coach Queiroz with options across all positions, though the midfield restructuring required by Partey's absence against Panama is the most pressing tactical challenge the technical bench faces.
GFA President Kurt Okraku set the collective tone at the fundraising campaign launch at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, saying: "We will go into this tournament with our chest up, ready to fight for the strip and ready to change our story. We fear no foe." Captain Jordan Ayew echoed this, telling GhanaWeb: "We want to make Ghana proud at the World Cup." The squad's shared purpose appears genuine and deep.
Nine stations forming a national broadcasting consortium, as confirmed by Graphic Online, will screen all Black Stars matches free-to-air in Ghana - ensuring that the entire nation can watch together as their team bids to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since South Africa 2010.
Sources: Modern Ghana, GhanaWeb, Olympics.com, ESPN, Sky Sports, Graphic Online, Ghana Football Association, FIFA
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