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Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey volition miss the country’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Panama adjacent week, after being denied introduction into Canada.
The Canadian authorities denied a visa exertion for Partey, 32, who is awaiting trial successful England connected aggregate charges of rape and intersexual assault. The erstwhile Arsenal prima has pleaded not blameworthy to each counts.
Ghana's opening lucifer successful Group L is connected Wednesday (June 17, 2026) against Panama in Toronto.
A connection from FIFA connected Friday (June 12, 2026) confirmed that Partey volition not beryllium allowed to transverse the Canadian borderline with his team, whose World Cup basal camp is successful Rhode Island.
"FIFA tin corroborate that subordinate Thomas Partey volition beryllium incapable to question from Ghana's squad basal camp successful Boston, U.S.A., to Canada for their archetypal lucifer against Panama connected Wednesday (June 17, 2026), as his visa exertion has been refused by the Canadian government," work the connection obtained by The Athletic.
"FIFA is not progressive successful the migration processes of big countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with erstwhile FIFA events, the big authorities yet determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."
Partey, who currently plays for Spain's Villarreal, has scored 16 goals successful 58 vocation caps for Ghana, including 3 goals during the 2026 World Cup qualifying process.
Partey presumably volition rejoin Ghana for group-stage matches successful the U.S. against England connected June 23, 2026, successful Massachusetts, and against Croatia connected June 27 successful Philadelphia.
