Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada; Set to Miss Ghana’s World Cup Opener

By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | June 12, 2026

TORONTO, CANADA — Ghana’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a severe blow just days before their tournament opener. Midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada and will miss the Black Stars’ opening match against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto.

FIFA confirmed the development following a decision by Canadian immigration authorities. Under Canadian immigration law, individuals facing serious criminal charges abroad can be deemed inadmissible to enter the country, even if they have not been convicted.

Legal Troubles Follow Midfielder to World Cup

The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder, who previously spent five seasons in North London with Arsenal, is currently facing a high-profile legal battle in the United Kingdom. Partey was initially charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Additional charges were brought forward earlier this year, bringing the total to seven counts of rape involving multiple women.

Partey has vehemently denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges during a preliminary hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court. His trial, originally scheduled for late 2025, is expected to commence in early 2027.

While the player had been granted bail—which permits international travel under strict conditions—the Canadian government exercised its statutory right to restrict entry. The official government guidelines state that individuals may be barred from entering Canada if there are grounds to believe they have committed an offense that would constitute a serious crime on Canadian soil.

Conflicting Reports and Tactical Blow for Ghana

The news has triggered mixed reactions and initial confusion within the Ghanaian camp. Just hours before the denial was confirmed, Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, stated that his office had not received any formal communication regarding a visa rejection, noting that the player had successfully secured documentation to enter the United States for the subsequent stages of the tournament.

However, with Canada enforcing its border protocols, head coach Carlos Queiroz will now have to restrategize without his veteran midfield anchor. Ghana is already navigating the tournament without injured star forward Mohammed Kudus.

The Black Stars have been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, Croatia, and England. While Partey will miss the opener in Toronto, questions remain over whether he will join the squad in the United States for their second group fixture, or for their highly anticipated June 23 match against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts—a fixture that has already sparked discussions regarding pre-match protocols due to the ongoing legal proceedings in London.