Thomas Partey won't play in Ghana's first World Cup match in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied him entry. The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London, and Canada's immigration rules bar people charged with crimes from entering, even without a conviction.
Partey arrived in the United States with the Ghana squad on June 4 and has been training with the team in Rhode Island. But when it was time to cross the border for Wednesday's match against Panama at BMO Field, his visa application was refused. FIFA confirmed the decision in a statement, saying it has no role in host country immigration processes.
The Canadian government's website states that anyone who has committed or been convicted of a crime may be denied entry. Partey has been charged but not convicted — his trial at Southwark Crown Court is scheduled for November but may be pushed to early 2027.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) previously told The Athletic that officers assess each case individually and can deny entry if they believe a person poses a security risk. The IRCC applies its rules consistently, regardless of the person's profile or role in the tournament.
Partey was charged by London's Metropolitan Police in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty in September. In February 2026, two more rape charges were added, and he again pleaded not guilty in April. The original six charges relate to three women and are alleged to have happened in 2021 and 2022. The two new charges involve a fourth woman and an alleged incident in 2020.
Under his bail conditions, Partey must notify authorities of any travel abroad. He left Arsenal at the end of his contract in June 2025 after making 35 Premier League appearances in his final season. He then joined Villarreal, playing 32 times in the 2025-26 season. His contract with the Spanish club expires this month, but there's an option to extend for another year.
Ghana will play England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. Partey is eligible to feature in both matches since they're in the United States. The Ghana Football Association hasn't commented on the visa refusal.
"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."
This isn't the first time a high-profile athlete has been barred from entering a country due to legal issues. But for Ghana, losing their most experienced midfielder for the tournament opener is a significant blow. The Black Stars will have to adjust their plans without Partey as they chase a deep run in the World Cup.