Thomas Partey out of Ghana’s World Cup opener after visa application to Canada refused

Player had been due to play against Panama in Toronto

The Ghana defender Thomas Partey will miss their opening World Cup game against Panama after being refused a visa to Canada, where the game is being staged in Toronto.

In a statement, Fifa said: “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 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.”

The former Arsenal midfielder, 32, now plays for Villareal in Spain.

In 2025 Partey was charged in the UK with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022.

Partey pleaded not guilty to all those charges at Southwark crown court in September. In February of this year he faced two new counts of rape after another woman came forward to police. In April he pleaded not guilty to those two allegations of rape. A trial is due to take place in June 2027.

His defence lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said: “Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated with the police throughout.”

After their match in Toronto, Ghana are due to play England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.