There is bad news for Ghana’s national team participating in FIFA World Cup 2026, as one of its key players is banned from entering Canada and thus cannot participate in the first match against Panama that will take place on June 17.

The government of Ghana lodged a complaint against the Canadian government due to the ban that it considers discriminatory and concerning. It stated that an appeal to the Canadian government was made asking to re-examine its decision. Thomas Partey did not get his visa due to the ongoing investigation of the case involving him.

Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Partey is a player at Villarreal CF and formerly played at Arsenal FC. He faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom, which, however, he denies entirely.

The Ghanaian government stated in a statement that denying entry based solely on allegations without a final court decision against an individual violates the principles of fairness and justice. "While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana believes that taking action based solely on allegations without a judicial decision raises serious questions about fairness and proportionality," the government said.

However, per FIFA, Thomas Partey cannot move from the Ghana base at Boston to Canada since his visa was denied by the Canadian authorities. Therefore, he will miss the first Group L match between Ghana and Panama. He is currently with the Ghana squad in America and can be expected to take part in the remaining matches in the group stage, where they play against England and Croatia.

The issue that Thomas Partey faces regarding his travel documents is one more example of problems arising with travel documentation during FIFA World Cup 2026. Among those who experienced visa-related troubles are Omar Artan, Ayman Hussein, Talal Salah, Woudencky Pierre, and Breel Embolo.

There is bad news for Ghana’s national team participating in FIFA World Cup 2026, as one of its key players is banned from entering Canada and thus cannot participate in the first match against Panama that will take place on June 17.

The government of Ghana lodged a complaint against the Canadian government due to the ban that it considers discriminatory and concerning. It stated that an appeal to the Canadian government was made asking to re-examine its decision. Thomas Partey did not get his visa due to the ongoing investigation of the case involving him.

Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Partey is a player at Villarreal CF and formerly played at Arsenal FC. He faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom, which, however, he denies entirely.

The Ghanaian government stated in a statement that denying entry based solely on allegations without a final court decision against an individual violates the principles of fairness and justice. "While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana believes that taking action based solely on allegations without a judicial decision raises serious questions about fairness and proportionality," the government said.

However, per FIFA, Thomas Partey cannot move from the Ghana base at Boston to Canada since his visa was denied by the Canadian authorities. Therefore, he will miss the first Group L match between Ghana and Panama. He is currently with the Ghana squad in America and can be expected to take part in the remaining matches in the group stage, where they play against England and Croatia.

The issue that Thomas Partey faces regarding his travel documents is one more example of problems arising with travel documentation during FIFA World Cup 2026. Among those who experienced visa-related troubles are Omar Artan, Ayman Hussein, Talal Salah, Woudencky Pierre, and Breel Embolo.