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Ghana's World Cup journey begins in Toronto on June 17, but one key member of the team will not play in the first game.
Thomas Partey, a midfielder who plays professionally for Villarreal in Spain, was denied entry into Canada ahead of Ghana's match vs. Panama. Partey is a huge piece of Ghana's offense and will leave a notable absence in the midfield for the team.
Partey should be able to rejoin his team when Ghana returns to the United States, and should be able to play in any games that take place in the United States. However, a looming criminal trial in London is keeping Partey from making a World Cup appearance in Toronto.
Here's why Partey will be out vs. Panama.
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Why Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada
Ghana forward Thomas Partey's visa request was denied by Canada ahead of Ghana's opening match against Panama on June 17. Partey, who spent 2020 to 2025 playing for Arsenal, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London in July of 2025, stemming from three women in incidents that occurred from 2021-22. Then, a new woman came forward with allegations from a 2020 incident that led to an additional two counts of rape in February of 2026.
Partey pleaded guilty to the original charges last September and the two new charges in April. Partey will face a trial at the Southwark Crown Court in London, which is scheduled for November but could be delayed until early 2027.
One of Partey's bail conditions requires him to notify authorities if he's traveling out of the country, and those charges seem to be why Partey will not join Ghana in Toronto.
"Without any signed consent form, it is not possible for IRCC to provide details regarding any individual situation," the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told The Athletic in a statement. "We can, however, state that the safety and security of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world. That is why IRCC applies its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.
"IRCC officers are trained decision makers who assess an individual's eligibility and admissibility in accordance with Canadian immigration laws. If they believe that an individual could pose a security risk, they may decide to deny them entry."
Partey denies his charges and was named to Ghana's team regardless, as coach Carlos Queiroz said Partey is innocent until proven guilty. Partey did get a visa to enter the United States, which means he should be able to play for the team in games located in America.
Ghana's team is based in Boston but will be crossing country lines to play this game before returning to Boston. The team's other two group stage matches will take place in Foxborough, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"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 told The Athletic in a statement."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."
Partey currently plays professionally in Spain after spending five years in England. Metropolitan Police investigated him for three years before bringing charges to him last year.
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