Canada Blocks Ghana's Star Midfielder From Entering for World Cup
Thomas Partey denied entry over pending U.K. sexual assault charges; Ghana files diplomatic protest; midfielder remains in U.S.
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Ghana will face Panama in its FIFA World Cup opener Wednesday without midfielder Thomas Partey after Canadian authorities denied his travel visa Friday due to pending criminal charges in the United Kingdom.
Partey, a former Premier League star, was charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by British police. The 33-year-old pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial later this year. Despite a diplomatic protest from Ghana, Partey did not travel with the squad from its training camp in Providence, Rhode Island, to Toronto on Monday.
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa called Canada's decision "heavy-handed and rather unfortunate" and appealed for reconsideration. "The decision was heavy-handed and rather unfortunate, and we are appealing to the Government of Canada to review it," Ablakwa said, filing a diplomatic protest.
Ablakwa also requested that FIFA intervene. The organization responded by saying it does not participate in the immigration processes of host countries, including visa adjudications. Canada's border authorities have the right to refuse entry to any foreign nationals, even when charges remain unproven and no conviction has been recorded.
Partey has the second-most international appearances on Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, earning 57 caps. He previously represented Ghana at the last two men's World Cup tournaments in Qatar and Russia.
After Wednesday's match in Toronto, Ghana will travel to Boston to face England on June 23 before the final group-stage match against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. Partey's visa has been approved for the U.S., and he will remain at Ghana's training facility in Rhode Island while the team is in Toronto.