Thomas Partey visa refused by Canada: Ghana World Cup star ruled out of opener against Panama

Ghana will have to face Panama in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener without key midfielder Thomas Partey after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application. The match takes place in Toronto on Wednesday, 17 June, and the 32-year-old will remain at the team’s base camp in Boston.

FIFA confirmed the development in an official statement. The governing body made clear it has no role in deciding who enters host countries. “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,” the statement read. It added that FIFA does not get involved in immigration decisions and that the host government makes the final call on visas.

Who is Thomas Partey?

Thomas Partey is a seasoned defensive midfielder who spent several seasons at Arsenal before moving to Villarreal in Spain. The former Ghana captain has been a regular in the setup for years, known for his physical presence, passing range and leadership in midfield. His absence will force coach Otto Addo to reshuffle the engine room for the tournament’s opening fixture.

Legal proceedings continue in the UK

The visa setback arrives while Thomas Partey faces serious charges in Britain. In 2025, he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022. He pleaded not guilty to all counts at Southwark Crown Court in September. In February this year, he was charged with two additional counts of rape after another woman came forward. He again pleaded not guilty to those allegations in April. A trial is scheduled for June 2027.

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

Ghana’s group stage fixtures

After the Panama game in Toronto, Ghana will play England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia. The three matches complete the group stage for the Black Stars in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Impact on Ghana’s campaign

Losing a player of Thomas Partey’s experience and tactical discipline so close to the first match is a significant blow. The team will need to adapt quickly in training and find the right balance in midfield without him. Ghana’s preparations in Boston continue, but the focus has now shifted to how the squad copes with the unexpected absence of one of its most influential players.