Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada ahead of World Cup opener
Thomas Partey has been barred from entering Canada, ruling the Villarreal midfielder out of Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama next Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old, currently facing trial on seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court, had his visa application rejected by Canadian authorities.
Ghana’s tournament begins at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17, but Partey will be forced to watch from a distance. He arrived in the United States with his national team on June 4 and has been training at their Rhode Island base camp ahead of the competition.
The Metropolitan Police initially charged Partey with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025, relating to alleged offences against three women between 2021 and 2022. He entered not guilty pleas to those charges in September of that year.
In February 2026, two additional rape counts were brought against him stemming from a separate investigation into alleged incidents in 2020 involving a fourth woman. Partey also pleaded not guilty to these further charges in April. His trial, originally scheduled for November, may now be postponed until early 2027.
Under his bail conditions, the midfielder must inform authorities before traveling abroad. FIFA confirmed the visa refusal in a statement, clarifying, “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government.”
The governing body emphasised its lack of role in host nations’ immigration processes, stating that governments ultimately determine entry eligibility. Canadian immigration authorities reiterated that safety remains their priority when welcoming World Cup participants, indicating that officers may deny entry to individuals deemed a potential security risk.
After the Panama fixture, Ghana will face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, before concluding their Group L campaign against Croatia at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.
As footballing events unfold, the intersection of talent and controversy serves as a stark reminder of how the sport often mirrors the challenges faced outside the pitch. Even as the World Cup beckons, the narrative surrounding Partey’s visa refusal will linger, highlighting the pertinent issues of accountability and integrity in the game.
