Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening FIFA World Cup fixture after midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada, ruling him out of the Black Stars’ clash against Panama in Toronto.
Partey, 32, who currently plays for Spanish side Villarreal and was named in Ghana’s World Cup squad, had been expected to travel with the team from its training camp in Boston before Canadian authorities rejected his visa application.
The development means the experienced midfielder will be unavailable for Ghana’s Group Stage opener, dealing a significant blow to the team’s preparations.
Confirming the situation, FIFA said immigration decisions remain the exclusive responsibility of host governments and are beyond the jurisdiction of football’s world governing body.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” FIFA stated.
“The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Partey’s absence is expected to force Ghana’s technical crew into a late rethink of its midfield strategy for the crucial encounter against Panama.
The former Arsenal midfielder is currently facing legal challenges in the United Kingdom. He has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault arising from allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is expected to stand trial next year.
While no official reason has been publicly provided by Canadian authorities for the visa denial, the decision has sparked widespread attention given Partey’s status as one of Ghana’s most experienced players.
The Black Stars will now look to navigate their World Cup opener without one of their key midfield figures as they seek a strong start to their campaign.
