Ghana midfielder Partey denied Canadian entry for World Cup opener
The 32-year-old Villarreal player will miss the fixture against Panama in Toronto due to a trial scheduled for 2027 in London.
Ghanaian international midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will not participate in his national team’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Panama. The decision by Canadian immigration authorities prevents the 32-year-old from travelling from the squad’s training base in Providence, Rhode Island, to the venue in Toronto on Wednesday, 17 June.
Partey is currently facing a trial in London scheduled for June 2027, where he must answer to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The allegations involve four different women and occurred between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently on bail while the legal process proceeds.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Diab stated that hosting major events does not alter Canadian immigration laws. She affirmed that Partey was assessed individually based on applicable law, noting that the government remains committed to maintaining the safety and security of Canadians while facilitating the tournament.
FIFA confirmed it does not adjudicate visas, leaving the decision to the host government. In a statement, the governing body emphasised that, as with previous World Cup events, the host nation ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.
Ghana head coach Carlos Quieroz had previously insisted that the charges would not affect Partey’s selection, asserting that the judicial process should run its course. Partey, who plays for Spanish club Villarreal and previously played for Arsenal, may be eligible for subsequent matches against England and Croatia, depending on Ghana’s tournament progression and whether future fixtures are held in the United States or Canada.
