Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry into Canada due to a refused visa application.
The 32-year-old, who currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal and previously featured for Arsenal, was unable to travel from Ghana’s training camp in Boston after Canadian authorities rejected his visa request.
World football’s governing body FIFA confirmed the situation in a statement, stressing that it does not intervene in immigration decisions made by host nations.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the organisation said. “The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration guidelines state that individuals who have been charged or convicted of certain crimes may be deemed inadmissible. However, Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has not been convicted.
The midfielder is currently facing seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. He is expected to stand trial next year.
Despite the legal situation, Partey remains a key figure for Ghana’s national team, and his absence is expected to significantly impact their midfield strength in the tournament opener.
The decision adds an unexpected off-field disruption to Ghana’s World Cup preparations, with officials now forced to adjust tactics ahead of the high-profile clash in Toronto.
