Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada, FIFA confirmed on Friday, meaning he won’t be able to play in his team’s opening World Cup match on Wednesday, June 17 in Toronto.
Said FIFA 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.”
Partey, who now plays for Villarreal in Spain, was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault in London in July 2025. He pleaded not guilty and was charged with two new counts of rape in February 2026, which he also pleaded not guilty to.
The 32-year-old joined Villarreal in 2025 after five seasons with Arsenal in the English Premier League. He made his senior international debut for Ghana in 2016.
Ghana faces Panama in its Group L opener in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17 and follows with matches against England (June 23 in Boston) and Croatia (June 27 in Philadelphia).