Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has struck a defiant tone on the eve of the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, declaring the team is battle-ready for their crucial Group L clash against Panama, despite a turbulent build-up dominated by the high-profile visa refusal of midfield lynchpin Thomas Partey.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference at BMO Field in Toronto yesterday, the veteran Portuguese tactician cut a focused figure, stressing that his side has left no stone unturned in their preparations.
“We did what was planned. We did everything that was in our hands possible to have our players ready for tomorrow,” Queiroz stated, dismissing any suggestion that the team’s limited friendly fixtures had hampered their readiness. He framed the fixture not just as an important game, but as a must-win, a philosophy he applies to every match. “I never remember in my life playing one game that was not a must-win. The only medicine that works in football is to win,” he declared, as the nation braces for a game that could define their tournament trajectory.
The Black Stars’ preparation, however, has been severely disrupted by the absence of Partey, who was denied entry into Canada due to his ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, a decision upheld by a federal court on Tuesday. Partey, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault, had his appeal for emergency relief dismissed, leaving Ghana without one of its most experienced and influential figures for this decisive encounter.
Despite the upheaval, Queiroz remained resolute, refusing to be drawn into a debate on the decision and stating his focus was solely on the resources at his disposal. “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. We are waiting for a decision. When the decision comes, we are ready to make the final approach to the game,” he said, though confirmation of the appeal’s failure now forces a significant rethink of his midfield.
The Portuguese manager, who is making history as only the third coach to manage at five World Cups, used the press conference to outline the monumental task of forging a cohesive unit in a short time. With a squad blending players from vastly different footballing cultures—French, English, and Spanish—Queiroz acknowledged the challenge of creating a unified identity but praised his players for their cooperative spirit and openness.
“The connection has been the most important aspect… I am quite pleased because the team has responded well. They’re very cohesive. They’re very well integrated. We have a compact team,” he noted, as he looks to navigate a tricky group that also features European giants England and Croatia.
Without Partey and the injured Mohammed Kudus, the attacking burden will fall heavily on the shoulders of captain Jordan Ayew and in-form forward Antoine Semenyo, who will be tasked with breaching a well-organised Panama defence.
Panama, appearing in only their second World Cup, arrives in Toronto with a reputation for discipline and tactical cohesion under coach Thomas Christiansen, making them a formidable obstacle. As the team’s tactical plans are finalised, the onus is now on the ‘player number 12’ to provide the spark. In a passionate plea, Queiroz called on Ghanaian supporters to create an intimidating atmosphere. “I expect our fans to do even better, because we need that… I hope that during the game, the drums of Ghana will be 90 minutes in our hearts to accelerate the players,” he implored.
Kick-off is scheduled for 23:00 GMT, with the Black Stars knowing that only a victory will truly quieten the noise and ignite their campaign in Canada.