Thomas Partey to miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after Canada visa application refused

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Thomas Partey will not play in Ghana’s first game versus Panama at the FIFA World Cup after the former Arsenal player's visa application to enter Canada was rejected.

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The midfielder was charged with two counts of rape earlier this year following his arrest by the Metropolitan Police.

He was also charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

A statement from FIFA to The Athletic said: ”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.

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”FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”

Thomas Partey in action for Ghana against Wales last week

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Partey, 32, arrived in Washington DC with team-mates on June 4. The Ghana team travelled to their training base in Rhode Island on Friday.

Ghana play Panama in Toronto in their opening World Cup match in the early hours of next Thursday morning.

They will then face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. Partey is eligible to play in those matches because he has a US visa.

Prior to the tournament, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz insisted he had no qualms over selecting Partey for his squad.

"If the player is here with me, my answer is clear," said Queiroz.

"I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about? This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.

"Let the events run their normal course. Let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth."

Partey, who represented Arsenal for five years, played 32 times for Villarreal, whom he joined 12 months ago, last season.

It was reported last week that the Football Association is considering how England players confront the possibility of facing Partey for a pre-match handshake before their meeting with Ghana.

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