Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to miss the Black Stars’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama after Canadian authorities reportedly refused his visa application.
According to a report by The Athletic, FIFA has confirmed that the 32-year-old will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in the United States to Toronto, where the Black Stars are scheduled to begin their Group L campaign on June 17.
In a statement cited by the publication, FIFA explained that immigration and visa decisions are solely the responsibility of host governments and fall outside the authority of world football’s governing body.
“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 said.
The governing body further emphasized that it does not participate in the adjudication of visa applications and has no influence over the entry decisions made by host nations.
The development represents a significant setback for Ghana ahead of a crucial opening fixture, with Partey widely regarded as one of the Black Stars’ most experienced and influential players. His absence could force head coach Otto Addo to make adjustments to his midfield setup as Ghana seeks a positive start to its World Cup campaign.
The reported visa refusal comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Arsenal midfielder in the United Kingdom. Partey has been charged by London’s Metropolitan Police with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges, with legal proceedings still ongoing.
While Canadian authorities have not publicly disclosed the reasons behind the visa decision, citing privacy laws, Canada’s immigration regulations allow officials to deny entry to foreign nationals who fail to meet admissibility requirements, including matters related to criminal proceedings.
Neither the Ghana Football Association (GFA) nor Canadian immigration officials had issued a detailed public statement regarding Partey’s case at the time of publication.
Ghana will face Panama at Toronto’s BMO Field before returning to the United States for the remainder of their Group L fixtures. The Black Stars are scheduled to take on England in Boston on June 23 before concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
With one of their key midfield leaders unavailable for the tournament opener, Ghana’s preparations have been dealt an unexpected blow as the four-time African champions aim to advance beyond the group stage and make a strong impression at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
