Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will not participate in Ghana’s opening World Cup match in Toronto.
In July 2025, London’s Metropolitan Police charged the former Arsenal midfielder, who currently plays for Villarreal, with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He entered a not guilty plea in September of that year.
In February of this year, he was charged with two new counts of rape; in April, he entered a not guilty plea.
On Wednesday, June 17, Ghana will play Panama in the tournament’s first match at Toronto’s BMO Field. However, Partey will not be able to play since he is unable to enter Canada.
Ghana will play England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on 23 June after their encounter with Panama. On 27 June, they will play Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to round off Group L. Partey is qualified to play in both games.
Partey, 32, arrived in Washington, D.C. with teammates on June 4 after being named in his nation’s squad for the competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico earlier this month.
On Friday, the Ghanaian team headed to their training facility in Rhode Island.
“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 to The Athletic stated.
“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.”
According to the website of the Canadian government, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged, but he has not yet been found guilty and is awaiting trial.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Ghana Football Association have been contacted by The Athletic for comment.
The trial of the seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge will take place in London’s Southwark Crown Court.
The study may now take place in early 2027 instead of November as planned.
Partey must inform authorities of any plans to travel overseas in accordance with the terms of his bail.
Three women are the subject of the first six charges, which are said to have occurred in 2021 and 2022. After receiving a report of alleged rape in February 2022, Metropolitan Police detectives started looking into Partey.
Following a new Met investigation in 2020 and a separate report of non-recent offences, the two further charges concern a fourth woman.
In August 2025, police were first made aware of these accusations.
Partey played for Arsenal until the end of his contract, making 35 appearances in the Premier League during his final season at the Emirates Stadium in 2024–2025. Partey made 32 appearances for Villarreal in the domestic season of 2025–2026.
Although there is a one-year extension option, his contract with the Spanish team expires at the end of June.
Source: newsthemegh.com