Ghana international footballer Thomas Partey, who is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, has been refused entry to Canada and will miss his team’s World Cup opening match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel to Canada from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, as his visa application has been rejected by the Canadian government,” world football’s governing body said in a statement to media outlets including Reuters. new York Times.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including visa decisions,” the statement said.
Canada is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and the United States.
What is Thomas Partey accused of?
Midfielder Partey, 32, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police in July 2025. The allegations relate to his tenure with current Premier League champions Arsenal.
He pleaded not guilty in September 2025, but in February 2026 he was charged with two new counts of rape, to which he also pleaded not guilty in April.
Partey, who now plays his club football for Spanish side Villarreal, appears to have had no problems entering the United States after arriving in Washington, DC with the rest of the Ghana squad on June 4.
But he will now be unavailable for the Black Stars’ opening match against Panama at BMO Field Stadium in Toronto.
“The safety of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world,” said a statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). the new York Times Earlier this month in anticipation of this event regarding Partey.
“IRCC enforces its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile or role in the tournament. IRCC officials are trained decision makers who assess an individual’s eligibility and admissibility in accordance with Canadian immigration laws,” the statement said. “If they feel someone may pose a security risk, they may decide to deny them entry.”
Ghana’s other two matches in Group L are in the United States – against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Partey, who has scored 16 goals in 58 appearances for his country, should be available for those games.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico