The 2026 FIFA World Cup has continued to encounter several major off-pitch controversies after Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada.
This means Partey has been ruled out of the team’s opening match against Panama after Canadian immigration authorities rejected his visa application.
The Villarreal midfielder was expected to be a crucial component of Ghana’s Group L campaign, which begins at Toronto’s BMO Field on Wednesday, June 17.
Following the meeting with Panama, Ghana plays England at Gillette Stadium (Boston) on June 23 before closing out Group L against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) on June 27. Partey is eligible to feature in both games.
However, FIFA officially confirmed that Partey was denied entry to Canada which would prevent him from traveling from the squad’s United States training base in Boston to the Canadian host city.
In a public statement, soccer’s world governing body clarified that it maintains no authority over national immigration laws.
A FIFA statement said: “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
While the real reason Partey was denied entry remains sketchy as of press time, the former Arsenal midfielder, now of Villarreal, had been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police.
In September of that year, he pleaded not guilty. He was charged with two new counts of rape in February this year, to which he pleaded not guilty in April.
Partey is due to stand trial in the United Kingdom on seven charges of rape and one of sexual assault. He denies the allegations
Also, while the Canadian government is yet to give reasons for denying Partey a visa, the country’s website outlines that, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
However, Partey has been charged, but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
Also, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had stated that: “Without any signed consent form, IRCC can’t provide details regarding any individual situation.
“We can, however, state that the safety and security of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world. That is why IRCC applies its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.
“IRCC officers are trained decision makers who assess an individual’s eligibility and admissibility in accordance with Canadian immigration laws. If they believe that an individual could pose a security risk, they may decide to deny them entry.”
This latest development comes after Omar Artan, the 2025 Caf men’s referee of the year, who has been on Fifa’s international list since 2018, was turned away by border officials in Miami despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry U.S visa.
Speaking with the press, the Somalian referee claimed that he was denied entry due to his nationality.
