According to a report from GiveMeSport, Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be unable to feature in his nation’s opening 2026 World Cup match against Panama in Canada after his visa application was denied due to pending charges of rape and sexual assault. The decision, which Ghana appealed unsuccessfully, represents a significant blow for the Black Stars as they navigate the co-hosted tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal in La Liga after a spell with Arsenal, was named vice-captain for the 2026 World Cup by Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz. However, his participation in the June 17 fixture at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama has been definitively ruled out. FIFA confirmed the player’s inability to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, stating, “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.”
Visa appeal dismissed after false declaration
The Canadian government website outlines that individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may be denied entry into the country. Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Two further charges, relating to a fourth woman for non-recent offences in 2020, were reported to police in August 2025. Detectives at the Metropolitan Police began their investigation into Partey in February 2022, and he continued to play for Arsenal until his contract ended in 2025.
Ghana’s appeal against the visa denial was upheld on June 16 after a hearing in Ottawa, a decision confirmed by CBS journalist James Benge. Crucially, court documents revealed that Partey’s visa application, submitted on May 21, falsely claimed he had not been charged with any criminal offences. Benge stated on social media: “Thomas Partey’s appeal for a Canadian visa has been dismissed and he will not be able to play in Ghana’s World Cup match against Panama. Partey had not declared any outstanding charges when applying for a visa. He is facing trial over rape and sexual assault. He denies charges.”
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Ghana expresses strong disapproval
The Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement calling the Canadian decision “high-handed and extremely unfair.” Ghana sports minister Kofi Adams echoed this sentiment, expressing his country’s dismay at the ruling, particularly given Partey’s not-guilty plea and his freedom to continue his career in Spain. “We think it’s appropriate to get the appropriate authorities to review this decision,” Adams told The Independent. “Thomas was one of the players who was asked to go to the [London] embassy for his biometrics, and then yesterday morning we got the decision that he has been denied entry to Canada on very flimsy grounds. I say flimsy because the person has already been charged, he has not been found guilty.”
Despite the setback for the Panama match, Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s subsequent Group L fixtures, both of which are scheduled to take place in the United States. Ghana will face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, before closing out their group stage against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27. The Athletic first broke the story of Partey’s visa denial.
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