2026 W/Cup: Partey Denied Entry Into Canada, To Miss Ghana’s Opener Against Panama

Thomas Partey will play no part in Ghana’s first World Cup game in Toronto as he has been denied entry to Canada, The Athletic reports.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now of Villarreal, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police.

In September of that year, he pleaded not guilty. He was charged with two new counts of rape in February this year, to which he pleaded not guilty in April.

Ghana are set to open their tournament at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17 but it has been confirmed that Partey cannot enter Canada and therefore will not be able to feature.

Following the meeting with Panama, Ghana play England at Gillette Stadium (Boston) on June 23 before closing out Group L against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) on June 27. Partey is eligible to feature in both games.

Also Read: Partey Booed By Fans On Villarreal Debut

Partey, 32, was included in his country’s squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico earlier this month and arrived in Washington D.C. with team-mates on June 4. The Ghana team travelled to their training base in Rhode Island on Friday.

A FIFA statement to The Athletic said: “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.”

The Canadian government website outlines that, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged, but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.

The Athletic have approached the Ghana Football Association and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for comment.

The IRCC previously told The Athletic in a statement before the World Cup: “Without any signed consent form, it is not possible for IRCC to provide details regarding any individual situation.

“We can, however, state that the safety and security of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world. That is why IRCC applies its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.“