Thomas Partey Barred from Ghana’s World Cup Opener After Canada Denies Entry

Thomas Partey Unable to Play in Ghana’s First World Cup Match

The Black Stars will face Panama without their key midfielder Thomas Partey, as Canadian authorities rejected his entry for the tournament. The former Arsenal player, now with Villarreal, had his appeal dismissed after initially being denied access to Canada.

Justice Roger Lafrenière ruled against granting emergency relief for Partey’s case on Tuesday, forcing the 32-year-old to stay with the Ghana squad in the United States. Partey will only be eligible to play starting from Ghana’s second World Cup fixture against England on June 23 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Legal Issues and Immigration Rejection

Partey faces serious legal challenges, including five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault filed by London’s Metropolitan Police in 2025. He pleaded not guilty, but new rape charges emerged in early 2026, to which he again pleaded not guilty.

According to The Athletic, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department denied Partey’s application on grounds of misrepresentation, as he declared no criminal charges when applying to enter Canada for the World Cup. His request for a temporary resident permit was also rejected, leading to a failed appeal in federal court.

Justice Lafrenière stated Partey did not meet the criteria for emergency relief.

Ghana’s coach Carlos Queiroz commented during the wait for the court decision: “My business, it is to play with the cards that I have in front of me.”

Canada’s Immigration Policy Remains Strict

Canada has maintained that all immigration applications are evaluated individually, with the safety and security of Canadians as a priority, regardless of the World Cup hosting duties. Their policies differ from those of the United States and Mexico, ensuring no exceptions are made due to the tournament.

“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” said the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department.

Ghana’s Challenge Without Partey

The absence of Partey adds difficulty to Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama, a match critical for their hopes to advance alongside England and Croatia. Ghana’s recent form has been poor, with six defeats in seven games, making a victory essential.

Without Partey’s presence, the team will rely heavily on Antoine Semenyo from Manchester City, Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur, and veteran forward Jordan Ayew. The match at BMO Field in Toronto marks the team's likely only game on Canadian soil, greeted warmly by hundreds of fans outside their hotel.

Fans and players alike hope to make the most of this support despite the setback.