World Cup 2026: Ghana's Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada, Will Miss Opening Match Against Panama

World Cup 2026: Ghana's Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada, Will Miss Opening Match Against Panama

Thomas Partey traveled to the World Cup with his Ghana teammates, but he will not be stepping onto the pitch in Toronto for their opening match. FIFA confirmed on June 11, 2026, that Partey's visa application to enter Canada has been refused by the Canadian government, meaning he will be forced to watch from the sidelines when Ghana faces Panama on Wednesday, June 17. The 32-year-old midfielder, who now plays for Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, is currently with the rest of the Ghana squad at their training base in Boston, but he will be unable to travel across the border for the match at BMO Field in Toronto.

The reason for the visa denial appears to be connected to the serious criminal charges Partey is facing in the United Kingdom. In July 2025, Partey was charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently awaiting trial, which has been set for June 2027. The Canadian government's website states that individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada, and despite Partey's presumption of innocence, immigration authorities have decided to exclude him from entry.

FIFA released a statement clarifying that the world governing body has no control over host countries' immigration processes. "FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," the statement read. "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."

Before the tournament, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz defended his decision to include Partey in the World Cup squad, citing the presumption of innocence. "If the player is here with me, my answer is clear," Queiroz said. "I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?" Partey is expected to be eligible to play in Ghana's subsequent group matches against England in Boston and against Croatia in Philadelphia, both of which are in the United States where his visa status is not in question. For now, however, he will watch from Massachusetts as his teammates face Panama without him.