There has been plenty of talk about players, staff, journalists and fans struggling to get visas to come into the United States for the 2026 World Cup this summer, but – as first broken by The Athletic – Canada have now refused to grant access to one player.
The man in question is Thomas Partey, who is part of Ghana’s team. The midfielder, who currently plays in Spain for La Liga club Villarreal, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025. The former Arsenal player has pleaded not guilty to the charges .
Ghana are based in Boston, USA, but will travel to Canada for their first World Cup match against Panama on 17 June. FIFA, however, have now confirmed in a statement that Partey will not be allowed into the co-host nation. In response, Ghana shared a strong statement of their own and decided to appeal against the decision.
Omar Artan has spken out in a new eye-opening interview.
Partey Denied Visa For Canada Match Even After Appeal
Partey comes into the tournament with the allegation over his head, but that has not prevented Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz from naming him as vice-captain for the 2026 World Cup. Following this visa decision from the Canadian government, though, the Black Stars will have to make do without the experienced midfielder for their opening game this summer.
The African team are set to play their first Group L match at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama, but as now confirmed by a spokesperson at FIFA, Partey will not be involved:
“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.”
The Canadian government website outlines that, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged, but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
Although Ghana appealed the decision, it was upheld on 16 June after a hearing in Ottawa . As per TalkSport, court documents show that Partey's application to enter Canda for the tournament, received on May 21, falsely claimed that he had not been charged with any criminal charges in any country.
Adding to this, CBS journalist James Benge explained on social media :
"Thomas Partey's appeal for a Canadian visa has been dismissed and he will not be able to play in Ghana's World Cup match against Panama. Partey had not declared any outstanding charges when applying for a visa. He is facing trial over rape and sexual assault. He denies charges."
Ghana's Initial Statement on Partey
Ghana sports minister Kofi Adams has questioned the 'flimsy' grounds on which Partey has been denied entry to Canada for the 2026 World Cup and urged a review of the decision. As quoted by The Independent, he said:
"If any Ghanaian is touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it. Through the appropriate channels, we have communicated to the rightful authorities and are requesting for them to use all processes to review and give opportunity for a review of such a decision that we think frowns on international laws and conventions, which both Ghana and Canada are party to.”
He added that the reasons for the denial were 'flimsy' and 'absolutely wrong', before concluding: "We think it's appropriate to get the appropriate authorities to review this decision. We've taken it to that level, and we hope and pray that they do what they must do.
"Thomas was one of the players who was asked to go to the [London] embassy for his biometrics, and then yesterday morning we got the decision that he has been denied entry to Canada on very flimsy grounds. I say flimsy because the person has already been charged, he has not been found guilty.
"Even in the country where they claim he committed the act, for which reason he is in court, which he has denied, he is still living there, as a free citizen, walking about freely and doing anything every free citizen should do.
"He's plying his trade, so one is therefore surprised that Canada -- which is so far away -- will now apply rules to the extent where somebody has merely been charged. "This is absolutely wrong. I don't understand why today Canada is interpreting their rules to suggest that a charge means guilty."
The Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released a statement, calling the decision “high-handed and extremely unfair.” Despite their appeal, however, Partey will not be able to play in Canada for the match.
England Players Will Likely Face Partey in Boston Fixture
Ghana will also play at least two more games this summer, but both of those will be in the United States – who have granted him a visa. After facing Panama, they will take on England at Gillette Stadium (Boston) on 23 June before closing out Group L against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) on 27 June.
As Partey is eligible to feature in both games, there will be much media interest in how he is treated by the England players. Indeed, reports have suggested that the FA have already been discussing how to approach the pre-match handshake with the midfielder .
That said, the FA declined to comment when asked if England players would be consulted on the matter.
As per The Athletic, the initial charges, which relate to three women, are alleged to have taken place in 2021 and 2022. Detectives at the Metropolitan Police began their investigation into Partey in February 2022 when they received a report of alleged rape.
Following a new investigation by the Met, two further charges where then reported to police in August 2025, relating to a fourth woman after a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020. The footballer continued to play for Arsenal until the end of his contract, leaving in 2025.
Football
World Cup
Transfer News & Rumours
Transfer News & Rumours
Premier League
Premier League