Black Stars Boss steps up World Cup preparations, holds crucial talks with Partey

By Mishael Emmanuel 
 
 
 

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has intensified Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after holding positive talks with deputy captain Thomas Partey in Spain on Wednesday.

The meeting took place just hours before Villarreal’s UEFA Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen and is understood to have been part of Addo’s ongoing tour of Europe to engage Ghanaian players ahead of the global showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Sources close to the discussions described the talks as positive, with Addo underlining the need for top physical condition, discipline and sustained focus as Ghana begin the long road towards World Cup qualification and competitiveness on the world stage.

Addo’s engagement with Partey reflects a wider strategy aimed at fostering unity, leadership and a shared sense of purpose within the Black Stars camp. In recent weeks, the Ghana coach has also held similar meetings with key squad members including Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Mohammed Kudus.

Later in the evening, Partey featured for Villarreal, coming on at the start of the second half in their UEFA Champions League encounter against Bayer Leverkusen. 

However, it proved to be a difficult outing for the Spanish side, who fell to a 3–0 defeat.

Ghana, drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, faces a challenging path at the 2026 World Cup. 

With preparations already in motion, Addo’s hands-on approach signals a clear intent to ensure the Black Stars arrive at the tournament united, focused and ready to compete against the world’s best.

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