Thomas Partey to miss Ghana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener after being denied Canada entry
(Courtesy : Getty)
Ghana will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Panama at BMO Field.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his nation’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry to Canada. Although neither the Ghana Football Association nor Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) commented on the issue, the denial of entry is likely linked to Partey’s pending rape trial in London.
“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,” FIFA said in a statement, as quoted by The Athletic.
“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.”
Partey’s pending trial
The former Arsenal midfielder was charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault last year by London’s Metropolitan Police. Two further counts of rape were brought in February this year. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will stand trial next year.
Following the expiry of his Arsenal contract, Partey moved to Villarreal, where he has played 32 times this season. Carlos Queiroz’s decision to include him in the Ghana squad was met with controversy, but the head coach stressed that the player was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ghana will face Panama in their first Group L fixture on Wednesday, June 17. The Black Stars will look to better their 2022 edition group-stage finish in Qatar with stars like Antoine Semenyo leading the line.
When is Ghana vs Panama FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
The Group L fixture will be played on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. In India, the match will kick off at 4:30 PM IST on June 18.
Where to watch Ghana vs Panama match in India?
Fans in India can watch the match live online on the Zee5 app and website in India. The television broadcast will take place on the Unite8 Sports Network TV channels.
Will Thomas Partey play for Ghana vs Panama?
No, Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana’s opening match against Panama.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.