Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has continued his European player engagement tour with a high-level meeting involving deputy captain Thomas Partey, as Ghana steps up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The meeting took place in Spain on Wednesday, just hours before Villarreal’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen. According to sources, the discussion was positive and forward-looking, with Addo stressing the importance of professionalism, peak physical condition, and sustained focus as Ghana builds toward the global showpiece.
Addo has been touring Europe in recent weeks, visiting clubs and holding one-on-one discussions with Ghanaian internationals. The initiative is aimed at monitoring players’ progress and reinforcing the technical team’s long-term vision for the national side ahead of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The engagement with Partey highlights the coach’s desire to strengthen leadership within the squad and promote a shared sense of responsibility among senior players. Similar meetings have already been held with key figures including Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Mohammed Kudus, underlining Addo’s emphasis on unity, continuity, and team culture.
Later that evening, Partey featured for Villarreal, coming on after the break in their Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen, a match that ended in a 3–0 defeat.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. With early planning, direct communication, and a clearly defined roadmap, Otto Addo’s hands-on approach is laying a solid foundation as the Black Stars aim to rise to the challenge and make a strong impact on football’s biggest stage.
