Ghanaian midfielder to miss World Cup opener over visa denial

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied visa to enter co-hosts Canada for the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup participation. The former Arsenal player will therefore miss Ghana’s first World Cup match against Panama on Thursday. The Villarreal midfielder will however face England in the second match on June 23, and Croatia on June 27, […]

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied visa to enter co-hosts Canada for the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup participation.

The former Arsenal player will therefore miss Ghana’s first World Cup match against Panama on Thursday.

The Villarreal midfielder will however face England in the second match on June 23, and Croatia on June 27, with both matches taking place in the US.

Partey’s inability to join Ghana in Canada stems from his allegations of rape and sexual assault by four different women in the UK where he will stand trial.

The incidents allegedly happened between 2020 and 2022, and he is on bail with a condition that he does not contact alleged victims.

The 32-year-old’s trial is set to begin in June next year.

Partey is one of Ghana’s experienced players in the World Cup squad it remains to be seen how his unavailability will affect the Black Stars in the opener, and other matches to be played in Canada if Carlos Quiroz’s side advance from the group stage.

FIFA confirmed Partey entry into the country from Ghanaian team’s US base “has been refused by the Canadian government.”

It had previously stated that it does not influence immigration processes, and abides by host countries’ visa policies.

“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.”