Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after midfielder Thomas Partey was ruled out of their opening match against Panama following a failed attempt to gain entry into Canada.
The 33-year-old was denied entry into Canada ahead of Ghana’s Group L fixture in Toronto after immigration authorities determined that he had not fully disclosed details relating to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
According to court documents, Partey stated in his visa application that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. However, Canadian authorities found that he was currently facing multiple criminal charges in the UK, leading to the refusal of his entry request.
An appeal by the Ghanaian government seeking temporary permission for the former Arsenal midfielder to enter the country for the match was subsequently rejected by a federal court in Ottawa.
The court ruled that there was “no serious issue” with the original decision, noting that Partey had failed to disclose that he was the subject of multiple criminal charges related to alleged sexual offences in the United Kingdom.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. His trial is scheduled to take place next year.
Canada’s immigration authorities maintained that hosting a major sporting event does not alter the country’s immigration laws and that all visitors are assessed individually based on the facts available and the applicable legislation.
While Canada denied him entry, authorities in the United States confirmed that Partey had been admitted into the country after being granted a visa, noting that admissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
The midfielder, who now plays for Villarreal CF, has earned more than 50 caps for Ghana since making his international debut in 2016.
Despite the controversy, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz had included Partey in his World Cup squad and reiterated before the tournament that he was prepared to work with the players available to him.
Ghana face Panama in their opening match before taking on England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 as they seek a place in the knockout stages.
