Thomas Partey has been refused entry to Canada ahead of Ghana's opening World Cup 2026 match against Panama in Toronto. The former Arsenal midfielder, now at Villarreal, is a vital component of the Black Stars' setup, but he has been forced to look on from afar as his teammates prepare for the crucial Group L clash.
Why isn't Thomas Partey playing for Ghana at the World Cup 2026?
Partey will miss the opening fixture due to a Canadian travel ban and visa issues that legally prevent him from entering the North American nation. Canadian immigration officials denied the footballer a visa, ruling him inadmissible to enter the host country for the tournament.
Reason for restrictions
This entry ban stems from the seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault that Partey is currently facing in the United Kingdom, relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. Court documents reportedly revealed that the midfielder failed to declare these active criminal charges on his initial application, prompting Canadian immigration officials to enforce strict country laws regardless of the ongoing tournament.
Appeal and rejection
Following the initial visa denial, Partey filed an emergency court application in Ottawa to temporarily set aside the immigration decision, but a Canadian judge rejected his appeal. Justice Roger Lafreniere ultimately sided with the country's border rules, stating that the player failed to establish proper grounds for emergency relief and that hosting a World Cup does not alter national immigration laws.
Pleading innocence
In an affidavit submitted to the court during his appeal, Partey strongly defended himself, stating that he has pleaded not guilty, has not been convicted of any crime, and remains legally presumed innocent. He also warned the court that his absence would materially affect Ghana's tactical setup and competitive ability on the world stage, especially since he pledged to remain under strict supervision by team officials during his stay.
Ghanaian response
In the build-up to the Panama match, Ghana's management and head coach, Carlos Queiroz, addressed the media regarding the setback. Queiroz maintained a professional stance, stating that he was fully prepared to "play with the cards that are in front of me" and that the squad was ready to make their final approach to the game regardless of the court's decision.
Involvement in United States fixtures
Despite his exclusion from the match on Canadian soil, Partey will still be involved in Ghana's other two Group L fixtures, as he was successfully permitted to enter the United States for the team's training camp. The midfielder is expected to return to the starting line-up for the group stage fixtures scheduled to take place across the border in the USA. He will be available to play against both England and Croatia, with those highly anticipated games being hosted in Boston and Philadelphia, respectively.
