Thomas Partey, the Ghana midfielder, was due to face Panama in Toronto for his country's opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he watched from Boston, his visa refused by the Canadian government. The reason? Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is awaiting trial in the UK.
The basics are simple: host countries control who enters their borders. For the World Cup, FIFA makes clear it is not involved in immigration decisions. As the Canadian government stated, "Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws." Its rules say that if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed in. Partey has not been convicted, but his pending charges were enough for Canada to deny his visa application. Meanwhile, the United States admitted Partey—he had been training in Boston with Ghana—because, as a US Customs official explained, he has not been convicted and was issued a US visa.
“Why footballers can be denied entry to World Cup host countries due to pending criminal charges.”
This is not the first time a footballer has faced travel restrictions due to criminal allegations. But the Partey case highlights a broader issue: athletes with pending charges can find themselves barred from entering a host country, even if they are innocent until proven guilty. For UK readers, the matter is especially relevant because Partey lived in the UK while playing for Arsenal (he joined from Atlético Madrid in 2020 in a £45m transfer and left in June 2025). His charges were brought by the Metropolitan Police in the UK. The question of whether a player should be allowed to represent his country while facing serious allegations is a recurring debate in football.
The practical impact on Ghana is significant: Partey will miss the Panama match in Toronto. His team also faces England in Boston on 23 June, and he should be available for that game if the US continues to admit him. But for any tournament that spans multiple countries—the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico—players must clear each host nation's immigration rules. A player refused by one country may still be allowed into another, as Partey demonstrated.
Q: Can a country deny entry to a footballer who hasn't been convicted of a crime? Yes. Under Canadian immigration law, having committed or even been accused of a crime can be grounds for refusal. Each country sets its own rules. The Canadian government emphasised that its officers assess individuals "based on the facts available and the law that applies."
Q: Why did the US allow Partey in but Canada did not? Each country conducts its own admissibility determinations. US Customs and Border Protection noted that Partey had not been convicted and was issued a US visa. Canada, on the other hand, refused his application based on its immigration laws. The US official said decisions are made "on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information."
Q: What happens if a key player is denied entry to a World Cup host country? The player cannot participate in matches held in that country. The team must adjust its lineup. FIFA stated it is not involved in visa adjudication, so the responsibility lies entirely with the host government and the player's federation.
What happens next? Partey's trial in the UK is pending, and he maintains his not guilty pleas. Ghana will play Panama without him. For other players, the case serves as a reminder that international travel for tournaments is not guaranteed, even for those who have not been convicted. The Canadian government said it is "working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians." That balancing act is likely to continue throughout the World Cup and beyond.