Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not step foot in Canada for the 2026 World Cup — and the reason why is as much about legal trouble as it is about immigration policy. FIFA confirmed Thursday that the 32-year-old’s visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities, effectively pulling him from Ghana’s opening Group L match against Panama on June 17.
The former Arsenal star had been expected to travel with the Black Stars from their training base in Boston, where the team is preparing for the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Instead, Partey will remain sidelined for a game that carries massive stakes for a Ghana side looking to advance deep into the tournament.
FIFA’s statement was clear: the decision came from Canada, not the sport’s governing body. “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their opening match … as his visa application has been rejected by the Canadian government,” the organization said. “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of the host countries, including the issuance of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
This is the second time during this World Cup cycle that FIFA has publicly distanced itself from a host country’s visa decision. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was previously denied entry into the United States under the Trump administration over alleged ties to terrorist organizations in his homeland.
What’s behind Canada’s decision?
While FIFA did not cite a specific reason for the rejection, Partey is currently facing serious legal challenges in the United Kingdom. In April, he pleaded not guilty to two new counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident in December 2020 at Southwark Crown Court. That case adds to an earlier set of charges — seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women total — to which Partey has also pleaded not guilty.
The allegations, first reported in 2022, have trailed Partey for years. The midfielder has consistently denied all charges through legal counsel, but the cloud of pending litigation appears to have influenced Canada’s visa screening process. Canada’s immigration laws allow officials to deny entry to individuals who are deemed inadmissible on criminal or security grounds, even if no conviction has been handed down.
Partey joined Atlético Madrid from Arsenal in 2020 for £45 million, but his off-field troubles have overshadowed much of his recent club career. He was expected to be a key figure in Ghana’s midfield at the 2026 World Cup, using his experience from two previous tournament appearances to guide a relatively young squad.
What happens next?
Ghana will now have to adjust its game plan without Partey for what could be multiple matches, depending on how long the visa issue remains unresolved. The team has not commented on whether it will appeal the decision or seek alternative arrangements for the player to rejoin the squad in the U.S. or Mexico for later group stage fixtures.
For Partey, the legal calendar is just as pressing. His next court appearance is expected later this year, and the outcome of those proceedings could have a lasting impact on his career — regardless of what happens on the pitch in North America.
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