179
By Oscar Okhifo
Ghana will be without midfielder Thomas Partey for their 2026 World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 in Toronto after he was denied entry into Canada following a rejected visa application, ruling him out of the tournament’s first match.
The 32-year-old had been with Ghana’s squad in the United States and was expected to travel to Toronto for the Group stage opener, but his plans were halted after Canadian authorities refused his visa application under standard immigration procedures.
Officials in Canada said every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis in line with existing laws, adding that hosting a major tournament does not override national entry requirements.
FIFA also confirmed the development, stressing that visa approvals remain entirely under the control of host governments.
Thomas Partey, who plays for Villarreal and previously featured for Arsenal, is currently facing serious legal proceedings in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of sexual offences.
He has denied all allegations and is on bail pending trial, which has been scheduled for 2027 following a postponement.
While no official explanation was provided for the visa refusal, his ongoing legal case has been widely mentioned in media coverage as a possible factor, although Canadian authorities have not confirmed any connection between the case and their decision.
Despite the setback, Ghana are expected to move forward without him for their opener, with the midfielder still likely to feature in their remaining group matches against England and Croatia as preparations for the tournament continue.