AFCON 2025
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ opening match of the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into Canada ahead of their clash against Panama in Toronto.
The 32-year-old, who currently plays for Spanish side Villarreal, was unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after his visa application was refused by Canadian authorities. FIFA confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the governing body stated. “The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Partey’s absence comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. The former Arsenal midfielder has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Canadian immigration regulations state that individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may be denied entry into the country. While Partey has not been convicted and continues to deny all allegations, Canadian authorities rejected his visa application.
United States Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Partey had previously been admitted into the United States.
“The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey, however, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa,” a spokesperson said.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz previously defended his decision to include Partey in the squad despite the ongoing legal case.
“If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” Queiroz said before the tournament. “This is not for me or you to make a judgement about. Let the events run their normal course.”
Although Partey will miss Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama in Toronto, he could still feature in the Black Stars’ remaining group-stage fixtures against England in Foxborough on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27, both of which will be played in the United States.
Should Ghana advance to the knockout stages and return to Canada for future matches, Partey’s availability would remain uncertain unless his immigration status changes.
The situation is one of several immigration-related issues affecting participants at the expanded World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Various players, officials and referees have encountered visa and border-entry complications since the tournament began.
For now, Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign without one of their most experienced midfielders as they seek a positive start against Panama.
