Canada Bars Thomas Partey from Entering for Ghana vs Panama World Cup Match

The international football federation FIFA announced that Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training camp in Boston, United States, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17. This follows the Canadian government's refusal to grant him a visa, according to a statement published on The Athletic’s website.

FIFA clarified that it does not interfere with host countries’ immigration procedures, including visa decisions. As with previous FIFA tournaments, the host government ultimately decides on visa issuance and entry permissions.

Thomas Partey, a Ghanaian international midfielder who transferred last summer to Villarreal in Spain after his contract with Arsenal in England ended, faces multiple legal accusations. In July 2025, London Metropolitan Police charged him with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

In September of the same year, Partey pleaded not guilty to all charges. Subsequently, in February of this year, he was charged with two additional counts of rape, to which he also pleaded not guilty in April.

Ghana is set to begin its 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17. However, Partey’s entry denial to Canada means he will be forced to miss this match.

Following the Panama game, Ghana will face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, then conclude their group stage matches against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27. According to The Athletic, Partey remains eligible to participate in these two subsequent matches.

Partey, aged 32, was included in Ghana’s squad for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico earlier this month. He arrived in Washington with his teammates on June 4, after which the Ghanaian delegation moved to their training camp in Rhode Island on Friday.