Ghana Star Thomas Partey to Miss World Cup Opener After Canada Denies Visa
"Every person wanting to come to Canada is assessed individually based on the facts available and the law that applies."
– Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Visa Refusal and Match Impact
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not play in his team's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied his visa application. The decision is related to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault Partey faces in the United Kingdom, where he is awaiting trial.
Partey, a 32-year-old midfielder for Villarreal in Spain, was denied entry by the Canadian government. The refusal means he is ineligible to participate in Ghana's Group Stage match against Panama scheduled for June 10 in Toronto.
FIFA confirmed the visa refusal, stating it is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries. In a statement, FIFA said: "His visa application has been refused by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries... the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa."
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated: "Every person wanting to come to Canada is assessed individually based on the facts available and the law that applies. Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws."
Canada's immigration law permits denial of entry to individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime. Partey has been charged but not convicted of the offenses.
Partey is returning to Ghana's base camp in Rhode Island. He remains eligible to play in Ghana's subsequent group matches against England on June 23 in Boston and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia, both on U.S. soil.
Legal Background
Partey was arrested and charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty in September 2025. In February 2026, he was charged with two additional counts of rape, to which he pleaded not guilty in April 2026.
The charges relate to four women and are alleged to have occurred between 2020 and 2022 during his tenure at Arsenal.
His trial at Southwark Crown Court in London was originally scheduled for November 2026 but may be delayed until early 2027. As part of his bail conditions, Partey must notify authorities of travel plans.
Player Background
Partey joined Villarreal in June 2025 after leaving Arsenal, where he played from 2020 to 2025. His contract with Villarreal expires at the end of June 2026, with a one-year extension option.
In a separate but related matter, Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is also awaiting trial on similar charges in Paris.