Thomas Partey will not play in Ghana's opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Panama after Canadian authorities denied him entry to the country. The Villarreal midfielder's absence represents a significant blow to Ghana's tournament hopes as they prepare for their fixture in Toronto.
The Arsenal academy product was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by the Metropolitan Police. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. In February 2026, he faced two additional counts of rape and again pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Canadian immigration authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons for their decision to deny Partey entry. A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated they would not comment on individual visa cases but explained that "applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the information presented by the applicant." The spokesperson added that all applicants must comply with eligibility and admissibility requirements regardless of nationality.
Fifa has attributed the denial to the Canadian government's decision, stating that the organization was not responsible for the visa rejection. The world football governing body has been contacted for additional comment on the matter.
The situation reflects broader concerns about player and official access to the 2026 World Cup, which is being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Several nations already face travel restrictions. Four World Cup qualifiers, including Haiti, Iran, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, are subject to some form of travel ban in the United States.
Palestinian Football Association officials have also been denied Canadian visas ahead of the Fifa Congress scheduled for April 30 in Vancouver. Three officials, including PFA president Jibril Rajoub, had their visa applications rejected. The PFA had planned to use the Congress to address concerns about Israeli football clubs playing in occupied Palestinian territory.
The denial of entry to multiple groups of officials and players has raised questions about access to the tournament. However, Fifa President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly insisted there will be no adverse effects on travel for teams or supporters during the competition. "Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the Fifa World Cup," Infantino stated after a meeting of the Confederation of African Football last year.
Partey's absence will force Ghana's coaching staff to adjust their tactical approach for the crucial opening match. The midfielder had been expected to play a central role in Ghana's midfield during the tournament. His unavailability leaves the team without one of their most experienced players at a critical stage of the competition.