Thomas Partey will be absent from Ghana's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture after Canadian authorities refused him entry into the country, according to a report by The Athletic.
FIFA confirmed the situation in a statement, saying: "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."
Charges pending against Partey
The 32-year-old midfielder, who now plays for Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, was charged by London's Metropolitan Police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025. He pleaded not guilty in September of that year. Two further rape charges were brought against him in February 2026, to which he entered a not guilty plea in April. Partey has not been convicted and is awaiting trial.
The Canadian government's official website states that individuals who "have committed or been convicted of a crime" may be denied entry. The denial of Partey's visa appears to fall under that framework, even though no conviction has been recorded.
Ghana's group stage schedule
Ghana are set to face Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17 in their Group L opener. Partey is eligible to appear in the team's remaining two group games — against England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, and against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.
Partey was named in Ghana's squad earlier this month and arrived in Washington D.C. alongside his team-mates on June 4. The squad subsequently relocated to their training base in Rhode Island.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada previously stated that it applies its rules "consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament," and that "the safety and security of Canadians" remains its priority. The Ghana Football Association had not commented at the time of the original report.
