Thomas Partey 'to miss' Ghana opener after Canada denies entry amid court case | OneFootball

According to The Athletic, Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada. Ghana will therefore be without the Villarreal midfielder for their World Cup opener against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on Wednesday 17 June.

The decision is linked to his ongoing legal case in the UK. He is formally charged and awaiting trial, has not been found guilty and maintains his innocence.

That administrative status is understood to have led Canadian authorities to withhold travel authorisation, leaving the Ghana coach unable to select him.

Partey was charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police. He pleaded not guilty in September 2025.

Two further rape charges were added in February 2026, and he entered not guilty pleas in April. On Monday he appeared at Southwark Crown Court in relation to those additional allegations.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo