Thomas Partey, the Ghanaian midfielder, will miss his team’s opening World Cup match against Panama after being denied a visa to enter Canada, FIFA confirmed on Friday. The refusal prevents Partey from traveling from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to the Canadian venue for the Group L fixture scheduled on June 17.
FIFA clarified that the organization does not influence immigration decisions made by host nations. “As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” the statement read.
Despite this setback, Partey is expected to remain available for Ghana’s subsequent Group L matches against England and Croatia, both held in the United States.
Legal troubles shadow Partey’s World Cup participation
The 32-year-old midfielder, formerly of Arsenal and currently playing for Villarreal, faces serious legal challenges in Britain. He is scheduled to stand trial next year on charges including seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. These allegations involve four women and date from 2020 to 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This visa denial comes amidst the ongoing legal process, directly affecting his participation in the World Cup’s multinational venues. Ghana’s team will have to navigate their tournament campaign without Partey in the Canadian match, though his presence remains expected for the fixtures on American soil.