Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied visa to enter Canada and is not available for their opening game against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto.
The 32-year-old was reportedly being denied entry into due to the sexual assault allegations against him.
The Villarreal man was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year by London’s Metropolitan Police to which he pleaded not guilty in September 2025.
This year in February, two new counts of rape were added to his charges. He pleaded not guilty once again.
“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,” a FIFA statement said, as per The Athletic.
“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.”
Ghana play England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23 before closing the group stages against Croatia in Group L at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27. He is eligible to feature in both games.
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