Football star Thomas Partey misses World Cup opener after dramatic border rejection
Thomas Partey (photo: instagram.com/ghana_fa_official)
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his team's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama in Toronto. The Canadian government has barred the player from entering the country, forcing him to remain separated from the squad.
According to BBC Sport, the controversy stems from an ongoing legal case involving the 32-year-old former Arsenal F.C. player, who now plays for Villarreal CF.
Legal case and government's position
The reasons behind Canada's decision include:
- Partey faces seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge involving four different women.
- The player denies all allegations, but his trial is scheduled for next year.
- Canadian law allows authorities to deny entry to individuals under criminal investigation or with certain criminal histories.
- FIFA has stated it has no authority over the immigration policies of host countries.
For now, Partey remains at Ghana's training base in Boston, United States. In Ghana, officials have criticized Canada's decision as "completely unfair," noting that no verdict has been reached.
Will Partey play at the 2026 World Cup
Despite being unable to enter Canada, Partey's tournament is not necessarily over. Since the World Cup is being hosted across three countries, he remains eligible to play in matches held in the United States, where he already has a valid visa.
Ghana's Group L schedule:
- June 23: Ghana vs. England (Boston, USA)
- June 27: Ghana vs. Croatia (Philadelphia, USA)
However, if Ghana advances from the group and is scheduled to play knockout-stage matches in Toronto or Vancouver, Partey's participation could once again become uncertain.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz said he does not regret calling up the player and will wait for further developments.
The situation follows another high-profile World Cup travel issue involving Breel Embolo, whose electronic travel authorization for the United States was reportedly blocked just hours before departure with the Swiss national team.
