Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after the Canadian government refused his visa application. The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder, who has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women between 2020 and 2022, was denied entry despite being with the rest of the squad in Boston, where Ghana have been training since 4 June.
Fifa confirmed in a statement that Partey’s visa application had been rejected by the Canadian government, adding: “Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries. The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.” Canada’s immigration department said it applies the rules “consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament”.
“Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for Ghana's World Cup opener amid rape charges.”
The Canadian government website notes that anyone who has committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into the country. Partey has not been convicted but is awaiting trial. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said: “Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.”
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for about £45m before leaving last June. He was charged by the Metropolitan police in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, and pleaded not guilty. Two further rape charges were brought in February, to which he also pleaded not guilty. He was allowed into the US after being issued a visa, with a US Customs and Border Protection official saying: “The US is aware of the pending court case … however, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted.”
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz had previously said he had no qualms about selecting Partey. “If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” Queiroz said. “I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?”
Ghana face England in their second group match in Boston on 23 June, but Partey’s availability for that game remains uncertain after being denied entry to Canada.