Thomas Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder, was due to play for Ghana at the World Cup in Toronto – but he never made it past the border. The 32-year-old, now with Spanish side Villarreal, was denied entry to Canada for Ghana's opening match against Panama on 17 June 2026. The reason: he faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault in the UK, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Under Canadian immigration law, anyone who has "committed or been convicted of a crime" may be refused entry. The rule applies even if the person has not been convicted, as long as there are grounds to believe they may have committed an offence. Partey's visa application was rejected by the Canadian government, and FIFA confirmed it had no involvement in the decision. "The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country," world football's governing body said in a statement.
“Why Thomas Partey was denied a visa for the World Cup and how immigration laws apply to athletes with pending charges.”
Partey's legal troubles began in July 2025, when London's Metropolitan Police charged him with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty in September. In February 2026, two more rape charges were added, to which he also pleaded not guilty in April. His trial is expected to start in early 2027. Despite the charges, Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz selected him for the World Cup squad, saying: "If the player is here with me, my answer is clear." Partey was allowed into the United States with the rest of the team and trained in Boston before the tournament.
For UK readers, the case highlights a little-known reality: countries can deny entry based on pending criminal charges, not just convictions. Many athletes travel internationally for competitions, and their admissibility depends on the host country's laws. Canada's immigration department stated that it applies its rules "consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament." The US, which also hosts World Cup matches, admitted Partey after its own assessment, showing how different countries can reach different conclusions.
Q: Why was Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada? Canadian immigration refused his visa because he faces pending criminal charges for sexual offences. Under Canadian law, individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may be inadmissible – and this can apply even without a conviction.
Q: Can someone be denied entry if they haven't been convicted? Yes. Immigration officers can refuse entry based on allegations or pending charges if they believe the person may have committed a crime. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis using available information.
Q: What does this mean for future World Cup host countries? Host countries retain full control over who enters their borders. FIFA has no say in visa decisions. Future hosts, such as the US and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup, will enforce their own immigration laws, potentially affecting other players with legal issues.
What happens next? Partey will miss Ghana's opener against Panama. He may appeal the visa refusal, but no timeline has been given. His trial in the UK is expected in 2027. The case has renewed debate about how countries balance welcoming major sporting events with enforcing their immigration rules.