Partey denied entry into Canada for Ghana’s World Cup opener
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country’s 2026 World Cup opener against Panama next Wednesday in Toronto.
Partey will not be present after the Canadian government denied him entry into their country.
He has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. It was confirmed last month that Partey’s trial on rape charges originally set for November at Southwark Crown Court had been pushed back to start June 8, 2027.
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A statement from FIFA read: “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.”
Partey is expected to feature in Ghana’s second game against England on June 23rd.
The Black Stars will be hoping to begin their campaign against Panama with a win to boost their chances of advancing to the next round.
Partey has made 57 appearances for Ghana, scoring 15 goals.
