The Ghana team will face its debut in the 2026 World Cup without one of its most experienced footballers. Thomas Partey will not be available for the match against Panama after the Canadian authorities rejected his visa application, a decision that prevents him from entering the country where the match corresponding to the first day of the group stage will be played.

The situation was confirmed by FIFA through a statement in which it explained that the Ghanaian midfielder will not be able to travel from his team's concentration to participate in the match scheduled in Toronto.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana's training base in Boston to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, as his visa application has been rejected by the Canadian Government,” said the world football governing body.

The 32-year-old player, currently linked to Villarreal, must remain with the Ghanaian delegation while the inaugural match of the so-called Black Stars in the tournament takes place.

Canada maintains its immigration policy

FIFA recalled that it does not intervene in the immigration procedures of host countries and stressed that it is up to each Government to determine who can enter its territory.

“The Canadian government has denied your visa application,” the entity said. "FIFA does not intervene in the immigration processes of host countries, including the granting of visas. As in previous FIFA events, the host government is the one who ultimately decides who receives a visa and is admitted to the country."

For its part, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada explained that each case is analyzed individually in accordance with current legislation.

“Canada is proud to be the host country of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event, while maintaining the safety of Canadians,” the organization said. “Canada has consistently maintained that hosting major events does not change its immigration laws.”

Although the Canadian authorities did not publicly detail the specific reasons for the refusal, various media linked the decision to the judicial process that the soccer player is facing in England.

Partey is accused of seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault linked to complaints filed by four women for events that allegedly occurred between 2020 and 2022. The player has pleaded not guilty and expects to appear in court at a hearing scheduled for November or a later date.

The absence represents a challenge for Ghana, which is competing in its fifth World Cup in the last six editions. Partey has made 58 appearances with the national team and was part of the squad that competed in Qatar 2022.

After the visa was denied, the midfielder returned to the Ghanaian base camp on US soil. According to the tournament schedule, he may be available for the African team's next matches against England, on June 23 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and against Croatia, on June 27.