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

Thomas Partey Will Miss Ghana’s First World Cup Match

Thomas Partey, once a key midfielder for Arsenal and now with Villarreal, will not play for Ghana in their opening World Cup match against Panama on Wednesday. Canadian officials refused him entry into the country, despite an appeal.

The initial decision preventing Partey from entering Canada was upheld when Justice Roger Lafrenière denied his request for emergency relief on Tuesday. This leaves Ghana without a crucial player against a strong Panama side at Toronto’s BMO Field.

At 32 years old, Partey remains with the Ghana squad training in the United States and will only be eligible to play starting with their second game against England on June 23 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Legal Issues Block Partey’s Travel

Partey faces serious legal challenges. In 2025, London’s Metropolitan Police charged him with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty and later faced two additional rape charges in early 2026, to which he also pleaded not guilty.

According to The Athletic, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department rejected Partey’s application because he allegedly misrepresented his criminal record, stating he had no charges against him. His request for a temporary resident permit was denied, and his federal court appeal was dismissed.

Justice Lafrenière concluded Partey did not meet the criteria for emergency relief. Ghana’s coach, Carlos Queiroz, commented while awaiting the verdict, "My business, it is to play with the cards that I have in front of me."

Canada’s Immigration Stance Remains Firm

Throughout preparations for the World Cup, Canada has maintained that immigration rules will be applied individually and hosting the tournament won’t change those policies. Their system operates differently from the U.S. and Mexico.

A statement from Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department said, "Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies, while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians as a top priority."

Ghana’s Chances Without Partey

Missing Partey does not lessen the importance of Ghana's opening Group L match. Facing tough opponents like England and Croatia later means Ghana likely needs a win against Panama to keep hopes alive.

Recent form hasn’t been kind to Ghana; they’ve lost six of their last seven games. Without Partey, the team must rely on players like Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus, and veteran Jordan Ayew.

The Black Stars are playing their only World Cup match outside the U.S.-Canada border in Toronto, where hundreds of fans welcomed them at the hotel, promising a supportive atmosphere at BMO Field.