Canada has denied a visa application submitted by Ghana’s midfielder Thomas Partey, preventing him from travelling to Toronto for his country's opening match of the FIFA 2026 tournament.
The decision means the 32-year-old midfielder will be unavailable for Ghana's group-stage fixture against Panama scheduled to take place in Toronto on 18 June.
FIFA confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the player would remain with Ghana's squad at its training base in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
According to FIFA, the player's visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities. The world football governing body emphasised that it does not play a role in the immigration decisions of host nations and that visa approvals remain the sole responsibility of the relevant government authorities.
Canada's immigration authorities said all visa applications are assessed individually under existing laws and regulations. Officials reiterated that while the country is committed to successfully hosting matches during the FIFA 2026 tournament, participation in a major sporting event does not alter Canada's immigration requirements or security procedures.
Following the visa denial, Partey returned to Ghana's base camp in the United States. He is, however, expected to be available for Ghana's remaining group-stage matches, including a meeting with England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and a later fixture against Croatia in Philadelphia.
The midfielder is currently awaiting trial in the United Kingdom on multiple rape charges related to alleged incidents that reportedly occurred during his time with Arsenal between 2020 and 2025. Partey, who now plays for Villarreal CF in Spain, has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The visa decision has attracted attention because Canada is one of the host nations of the FIFA 2026 tournament, alongside the United States and Mexico. Canadian authorities have maintained that all immigration decisions are made in accordance with national laws and security considerations.
