Ghana will be without midfielder Thomas Partey for their upcoming World Cup opening match against Panama in Toronto, after the Canadian government denied his entry into the country.
Key Details
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The Match: Ghana vs. Panama on Wednesday, June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto.
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Current Situation: Partey is currently restricted to Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, and will not be permitted to travel across the border.
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The Cause: Canada’s government refused his visa application, a decision heavily tied to his ongoing high-profile legal battles.
Background on Legal Charges
The Villarreal midfielder (and former Arsenal player) is currently facing multiple serious legal allegations in the UK:
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July 2025: Charged by London’s Metropolitan Police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty in September.
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February 2026: Hit with two additional counts of rape, to which he pleaded not guilty in April.
FIFA’s Stance
In a statement provided to The Athletic, FIFA confirmed the visa rejection and clarified that they have no power to overrule national border laws:
“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.
FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”