Thomas Partey Barred from Ghana’s World Cup Opener as Canada Rejects Entry Appeal

Thomas Partey Will Miss Ghana's First World Cup Match

Thomas Partey, formerly of Arsenal and now playing for Villarreal, will not be available to play for Ghana in their opening World Cup match against Panama. The Canadian authorities denied his appeal to enter the country, ruling that he could not join the team in Toronto.

The decision came after Justice Roger Lafrenière dismissed Partey's request for emergency relief on Tuesday, confirming that the midfielder would remain outside Canada. Partey is currently training with Ghana in the United States and will only be eligible to play in Ghana's next match on June 23 against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Legal Issues Behind the Ban

Partey faces serious legal challenges in the UK. In 2025, London’s Metropolitan Police charged him with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, charges to which he pleaded not guilty. In February 2026, two additional rape charges were added, and Partey again entered a not guilty plea in April.

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department rejected his application because of misrepresentation. When applying for entry, Partey reportedly claimed he had no criminal charges pending, which was not accurate. Following this denial, he also failed to obtain a temporary resident permit. His legal team appealed to federal court, but the appeal was denied.

Official Statements and Team Reactions

Ghana’s manager Carlos Queiroz commented while awaiting the court’s ruling, "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me."

Canada made it clear throughout the World Cup preparations that immigration decisions would be handled individually without special exceptions for tournament participants. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that ensuring the safety and security of Canadians remains their top priority, regardless of the event.

Ghana’s Prospects Without Partey

The absence of Thomas Partey puts extra pressure on Ghana’s squad as they face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L. With six defeats in their last seven matches, the team must aim for a win against Panama to keep hopes alive of advancing.

Key players like Manchester City's forward Antoine Semenyo, Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder Mohammed Kudus, and veteran Jordan Ayew will have to step up in Partey’s absence. The match, likely their only World Cup game held in Canada, has drawn strong fan support, with hundreds welcoming the Black Stars at their hotel and an expected enthusiastic crowd at BMO Field.