Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reportedly being refused entry to Canada.
The Black Stars are due to kick off their Group L campaign against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17, but they will now have to do so without one of their most experienced midfielders.
The decision comes just days before the game and is a significant setback for Carlos Queiroz’s squad.
Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada before Ghana’s World Cup opener
According to The Athletic, Partey cannot travel for the Toronto fixture.
“Thomas Partey will play no part in Ghana’s first World Cup game in Toronto as he has been denied entry to Canada, sources have told The Athletic. Ghana are set to open their tournament at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, but sources familiar with the process… have told The Athletic that Partey cannot travel to Canada and therefore will not be able to feature.”
“The Canadian government website outlines that, ‘If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.’ Partey has been charged, but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted. He denies the charges.”
The former Arsenal midfielder, now of Villarreal, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police. In September of that year, he pleaded not guilty. He was charged with two new counts of rape in February this year, to which he pleaded not guilty in April.
Thomas Partey’s legal situation remains ongoing
Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial, originally expected to take place earlier, has been delayed until June 2027. He remains on bail during the legal process.
Ghana selected Partey for the World Cup, with Queiroz previously citing the presumption of innocence when defending the decision.
There are no confirmed reports that any other country has refused Partey entry because of the case. Ghana’s remaining Group L games are in the United States, against England in Foxborough on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
How Thomas Partey’s absence impacts Ghana
Ghana’s opener against Panama was already seen as their most winnable match on paper, and losing Partey removes a player who can control the tempo, protect the back four, and connect possession into attack.
Ghana still has athleticism and attacking threat through players like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, but Partey’s absence may force a more cautious midfield setup in Toronto.
The good news for Ghana is that the Canada issue currently affects only the opener. If Partey is cleared to travel to the US, he could still be available for England and Croatia.
But in a group where every point matters, missing the first match is already a serious blow.
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