Grounds of the Visa Denial
FIFA confirmed on June 12, 2026, that Partey, currently playing for Spanish club Villarreal after his time at Arsenal, cannot travel from Ghana's team base camp in Boston, USA, to Toronto for the Black Stars' Group B opener against Panama on June 17.
Full statement from FIFA to TheAthleticFC
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
FIFA noted it is not involved in host countries' immigration decisions. The denial stems from Partey's ongoing legal situation in the United Kingdom. He faces multiple charges of rape and sexual assault (reports cite seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault) related to incidents allegedly occurring between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to stand trial next year. He remains on bail. Under Canadian immigration law, individuals facing criminal prosecution or with certain criminal history can be deemed inadmissible, even without a conviction. So despite Partey holding valid visas for the UK and US (the latter allowing him to be with the Ghana squad in Boston).
This is a big blow to Ghana as some of our players will be missing out on the opener too,
🚨⛔️ Some of the main players left out of Ghana squad for the World Cup. ❌ 🇬🇭
— 343 (@UnscriptedFooty) June 12, 2026
❌Mohammed Salisu
❌Tariq Lamptey
❌Thomas Partey
❌Benjamin Asare
❌Antoine Seme... see thread pic.twitter.com/TU77b0Z6QU
Ghana's Response and Diplomatic Efforts
The Ghanaian government has strongly criticized the decision as "unfair" and "high-handed." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Canada to rescind the visa denial, emphasizing the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." Ghana's Sports Minister Kofi Adams described the grounds for denial as "flimsy" and indicated the government has requested a review, with some reports suggesting plans for further legal or diplomatic action. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has faced internal criticism for including Partey in the squad despite known risks related to his legal issues and potential travel complications for the multi-nation 2026 tournament hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Updates (as of June 15, 2026)
There have been no confirmed updates indicating Canada has overturned the decision. Partey will remain in
the US with the squad.
Ghana's subsequent group stage games are against England (June 23) and Croatia in the United States, where
Partey is eligible to play since he has US entry approval.
Discussions will continue in Ghanaian media and on social platforms about the GFA's preparation, player
selection policies, and broader implications for African players with legal matters traveling to North
America.
While FIFA events often involve special visa arrangements, host nations retain sovereignty over entry. It
also raises questions about balancing player rights, legal presumptions of innocence, and public
safety/immigration standards. Partey, a key midfielder with over 50 caps for Ghana, remains a vital part of
the team when available. His absence weakens the Black Stars' midfield for the crucial Panama clash in
Toronto. As the tournament progresses, further updates on any diplomatic resolution or Partey's
participation in later matches will be closely watched. Ghana will hope to advance despite the setback,
while Partey continues to focus on clearing his name in the UK courts
Comments
I’m very disappointed in the behavior of FIFA in handling situations that have arisen as part of the 2026 World Cup. I think they have poorly handled a lot of things
Minister for Sports and Recreation- Kofi AdamsCanada doesn't believe in the rule of law I guess Customs and Boarder Patrol allowed Thomas Partey because America as a country believes the player is not convicted or guilty of a crime he was charged Canada's allegiance to the queen of England is in full effect very shameful
Brick 🧱on your assWith what is going on, if Thomas Partey is found not guilty, we hope he will be able to recover from this mentally, because all this can take a serious toll on him
Thomas Partey was fast enough to change the position of his hands else she could’ve used that as an opportunity to sue him for assault and battery😭 pic.twitter.com/P5EcWOEDnC
— BUTROUS ! (@thebutrous) June 13, 2026
Update (As of 16th June, 2026)
On June 16, 2026, a Federal Court in Ottawa heard arguments from the Ghanaian government seeking to overturn Canada’s refusal to grant Partey entry for the Black Stars’ Group L clash against Panama in Toronto.
The Federal Court hearing took place on Tuesday, June 16, at 9:00 a.m. ET in Ottawa (case IMM-12882-26). Ghana sought urgent permission for Partey to enter briefly for the World Cup fixture and potentially file a fresh visa application. Reports from the proceedings noted arguments highlighting Partey’s clean record regarding travel restrictions and comparisons to other athletes. The judge reserved the decision after hearing submissions, leaving Partey’s participation uncertain as the match approached.
Note: Some social media and unofficial reports circulated claims of visa approval post-hearing, but as of the latest updates, no final official confirmation from Canadian authorities or the court has resolved the matter definitively. The situation remained fluid.