Ghana's Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada, Will Miss World Cup Opener

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will miss his team's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama, the Ghana Football Association confirmed.

The decision by Canadian authorities has sparked outrage from Ghanaian officials, who have vowed to contest the ruling. Partey, a key player for both club and country, was expected to start in the Group G fixture.

Ghana's Response

The Ghana Football Association released a statement expressing disappointment and confirming that they are working with legal representatives to challenge the visa denial. They emphasized that Partey had submitted all required documentation well in advance.

Canada's immigration authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons for the refusal, but sources suggest it may be related to past travel or documentation issues.

• Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama on June 15.
• The midfielder is expected to rejoin the squad for later group matches if the visa issue is resolved.
• Ghana also face France and Saudi Arabia in Group G.