World Cup: Thomas Partey is banned from Canada due to accusations and misses Ghana in their debut

Midfielder Thomas Partey, a key player in the Ghana national team, will not be able to play in the team’s opening match in the World Cup against Panama, scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto, Canada. The athlete was denied entry into Canadian territory, a development that shakes up the African team’s preparations for the tournament. The immigration authorities’ decision is based on criminal charges Partey faces in the UK, although he has pleaded not guilty.

Criminal Charges and the Canadian Visa Decision

The Canadian government’s denial of a visa to Thomas Partey stems from ongoing legal proceedings against the player. In July 2025, the athlete was accused by the London Metropolitan Police of five rapes and one sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty in September of the same year. In February this year, two new rape allegations were added, and Partey again denied the allegations in April. The trial of these complaints is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.

The official Canadian government website states that individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may be barred from entering the country. Although Partey is only *charged* and awaiting trial, not *convicted*, Canadian authorities interpreted the situation as a deterrent. The International Football Federation (FIFA) confirmed the visa refusal, reiterating that it does not interfere in the immigration processes of host countries, with each government making the final decision on who can or cannot enter its territory.

Differentiated Eligibility for World Cup Matches

Thomas Partey’s migratory situation reveals a peculiarity in the logistics of the World Cup hosted by three countries. While the midfielder will not be able to play in Canada, he is cleared for Ghana’s remaining matches in the United States. The Ghanaian team has matches scheduled against England on June 23, at Gillette Stadium, in Boston, and against Croatia on June 27, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia. The permission to operate on American, but not Canadian, soil highlights differences in immigration laws between the two neighboring countries, which may consider the status of criminal charges differently in their visa processes.

Chronology of Thomas Partey’s Accusations

Thomas Partey’s legal trajectory is complex and involves several stages. Check out the sequence of events that led to his ineligibility in Canada:

• July 2025:The player is accused of five rapes and one sexual harassment.
• September 2025:Partey pleads not guilty to all charges.
• February 2026:Two new rape charges are registered against the athlete.
• April 2026:He also pleads not guilty to the new charges.
• End of 2026/Beginning of 2027:Trial on seven counts of rape and one of sexual harassment is scheduled for Southwark Crown Court in London.

Partey, 32, arrived in Washington D.C. with the Ghanaian delegation on June 4 and headed to the team’s training base in Rhode Island. He remained in the Arsenal squad until the end of his contract and subsequently played for Villarreal in the 2025-26 season, playing 32 games. His contract with the Spanish club ends at the end of June, but has an option to extend it for another year.