Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun, but Ghana's vice-captain Thomas Partey faces a setback as he is denied entry to Canada due to visa issues. This unexpected turn of events means he will miss the crucial opening match against Panama. The reasons behind the visa denial remain unclear, but speculation points to his recent legal troubles. As one of Africa's top midfielders, Partey's absence will be felt by his team. Read on to learn more about this unfolding situation and its implications for the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 13, 2026, 00:06 IST

FIFA World Cup 2026 Begins Amid Controversies

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially commenced, marking a historic event as it is hosted across three nations: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Alongside the excitement surrounding the matches, several controversies have emerged, capturing significant attention. One notable incident involves Ghana's vice-captain and experienced midfielder, Thomas Partey, who has been barred from entering Canada. Consequently, he will miss his team's vital opening match against Panama scheduled for June 18 (Thursday).

FIFA confirmed the situation, stating, “Player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana’s team base in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, due to a visa application denial by the Canadian government. FIFA does not handle immigration matters of host nations, including visa approvals. As with past FIFA events, the host government has the final say on visa issuance and entry into the country,” as reported by a media outlet.

Reasons Behind Visa Denial

Currently, no official explanation has been provided regarding the denial of Thomas Partey’s visa by Canadian officials just before the commencement of their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey. Speculation suggests that the midfielder's recent legal troubles may have influenced this decision. In July 2025, Partey faced five charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault from London’s Metropolitan Police. He pleaded not guilty to these charges in September of the same year. In April 2026, he was hit with two additional sexual assault charges, to which he also entered a not guilty plea.

Thomas Partey is widely recognized as one of Africa's premier holding midfielders, having made a name for himself during his time with Atletico Madrid (2013-2020) and Arsenal (2020-2025). He is currently signed with La Liga powerhouse Villarreal.