World Cup Setback: Canada Denies Entry to Ghana Star Thomas Partey Ahead of Panama Clash

Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada ahead of the Black Stars’ opening Group L match against Panama in Toronto.

Global Mirror News gathered that Partey, who is part of Ghana’s World Cup squad, was unable to travel with his teammates from their training base in Boston, United States, after Canadian authorities reportedly refused his visa application. FIFA confirmed the development, stating that immigration decisions remain the exclusive responsibility of host governments and are outside the control of football’s world governing body.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Villarreal CF, is facing multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault involving four women over incidents alleged to have occurred between 2020 and 2022. Partey has consistently denied all accusations and has pleaded not guilty to every charge brought against him.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Partey remains on bail and is permitted to continue his professional football career under conditions that reportedly prohibit him from contacting the alleged victims.

The visa denial means the former Arsenal F.C. midfielder will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup fixture against Panama in Toronto. However, he remains eligible to participate in the Black Stars’ subsequent matches in the United States, including a highly anticipated clash against England in Boston on June 23 and a final group-stage encounter against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

In a statement, FIFA emphasized that it does not intervene in visa or immigration matters, noting that host nations retain full authority over who is granted entry for international tournaments.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency confirmed that Partey was admitted into the United States on June 3, 2026, after undergoing standard immigration checks. According to CBP, while U.S. authorities are aware of the ongoing court proceedings involving the player, he has not been convicted of any crime and was therefore allowed entry under existing immigration regulations.

Officials added that all travelers, including athletes and tournament participants, are assessed individually using available immigration, national security, and law enforcement information before admission decisions are made.

Partey left Arsenal in June 2025 to join Villarreal after a five-year spell in North London. He was initially charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Additional allegations dating back to December 2020 were added earlier this year, bringing the total charges against him to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 2, 2026, while the full trial is expected to commence in June 2027.

The development has sparked widespread discussion among football fans and analysts, with many debating the impact of immigration decisions on major international tournaments as the World Cup continues across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.