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Canada Refuses Thomas Partey Visa, Blocking Him From Ghana’s World Cup Opener

Following criminal charges in the UK, the decision removes a key midfielder from Ghana’s first match and underscores that host governments alone control tournament entry.

Ancien joueur d'Arsenal évoluant désormais à Villarreal, Partey a plaidé non coupable de sept chefs d'accusation de viol et d'un autre chef d'agression sexuelle. [Ryan Hiscott / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP]
Le défenseur ghanéen de Villarreal, Thomas Partey, s'échauffe avant le match de la phase de groupes de la Ligue des champions de l'UEFA entre Tottenham Hotspur et Villarreal à Londres, le 16 septembre 2025
L'ancien milieu de terrain d'Arsenal, Thomas Partey, accusé de viols, arrive au tribunal de Southwark, pour une audience, le 13 avril 2026 à Londres
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Overview

  • FIFA confirmed on Friday that the Canadian government refused Thomas Partey’s visa application, preventing him from traveling to Toronto for Ghana’s opening match against Panama.
  • The Ghanaian government lodged an official protest to Canada on Saturday after the refusal, calling the decision unfair because Partey has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
  • Partey remains with the Ghana squad in the United States and is reported to be eligible for the team’s later group matches in Boston and Philadelphia, indicating U.S. authorities granted him entry.
  • Partey has been charged in the UK with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, has pleaded not guilty, and is due to stand trial in 2027.
  • The case highlights that FIFA does not control host-country immigration and could prompt more national vetting of players and spot diplomatic tensions between hosts and participating federations.