The midfielder, who is awaiting trial on criminal charges in the United Kingdom, was unable to travel from Ghana’s training camp in Boston due to Canadian immigration regulations.
Ghana have suffered a significant setback ahead of their opening World Cup fixture after Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada and will miss the clash against Panama, according to The Athletic journalist Dan Sheldon.
The midfielder, who is currently facing multiple criminal charges in the United Kingdom and awaiting trial, was unable to travel from Ghana’s training camp in Boston to Canada for the Group L encounter. FIFA confirmed that the decision was made by Canadian authorities and stressed that visa and immigration matters fall entirely under the jurisdiction of the host nation.
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“FIFA confirms that Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from the Ghana squad’s training camp in Boston to Canada for their first match against Panama on 17 June. The Canadian government has denied his visa,” the governing body said.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including rape and sexual assault, and has not been convicted of any offence. However, Canadian immigration regulations allow authorities to refuse entry based on an individual’s legal circumstances. The 32-year-old remains on conditional bail while awaiting trial later this year.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, Partey’s absence is a significant setback for Ghana, who had expected the experienced midfielder to play a key role in their World Cup campaign. The Black Stars will now have to reconfigure their midfield for the match against Panama on June 17, as well as subsequent group fixtures against England and Croatia.
Ghana have been training in Boston ahead of the tournament. The team will now travel to Canada without one of their most influential players, as Canadian immigration rules have effectively ruled him out of the entire match on Canadian soil. FIFA’s statement made clear that the governing body has no authority to override host-country immigration decisions, leaving Ghana with no recourse to appeal.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 12, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
