Thomas Partey has been refused entry into Canada, and the Villarreal midfielder will miss his team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B opener against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, as per The Athletic.
The decision stems from visa issues linked to ongoing r*pe and s*xual assault charges Partey faces in the United Kingdom. The Ghanaian player was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police in July 2025.
Here’s why Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada; will miss Ghana’s World Cup Opener
The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all counts involving four women. His trial, originally scheduled earlier, has been postponed until June 2027. Ghana’s national team is currently based in Boston, United States. As a result, Partey remains available to participate in the squad’s subsequent group-stage matches hosted on U.S. soil.
The Ghana Football Association has not yet issued a detailed statement on the matter, but the team will have to adjust its plans for the tournament opener without one of its most experienced players. This development adds an off-field complication for Ghana as they prepare for their return to the World Cup.
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