World Cup 2026: Ghana's Thomas Partey will miss first match after being denied entry into Canada

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is set to miss the team's opening World Cup match Wednesday after being denied entry into Canada, according to The Athletic . The Black Stars are scheduled to play Panama at BMO Field, which is their only group stage match in the country. "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," FIFA wrote in a statement to The Athletic . "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country." The 32-year-old Partey is facing legal issues in London after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in 2025, which he pleaded not guilty. In April, he also pleaded not guilty after being charged with two new counts of rape. The first alleged offenses involved three women between 2021 and 2022. A London Metropolitan Police investigation began in February 2022. In August 2025, a fourth woman came forward with allegations and Partey was charged again in February. "Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated fully with the police throughout," said Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, at the time . "Given that legal proceedings are ongoing, there will be no further comment." Canada's immigration law states that "if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada. In other words, you may be 'criminally inadmissible.'" Partey has not been convicted and is awaiting trial that may not take place until 2027. After Ghana plays Panama, Partey will be eligible for their final group games against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 23 and against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. Partey, who joined La Liga’s Villarreal in 2025 after five seasons with Premier League side Arsenal, was part of Ghana's traveling party when the team arrived in Washington D.C. on June 4. On Friday, players and staff traveled to their base camp at Bryant University in Rhode Island. Partey left Arsenal after his contract expired following the 2024-25 season. He continued to play for the club following the revelation of the charges. This past season he played 32 games for Villarreal where his contract runs through the end of June.