Ghana’s preparations for their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada, ruling him out of the Black Stars’ first group-stage fixture.
Ghana begin their Group L campaign against Panama at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 17, but the experienced Villarreal midfielder will not be available for selection.
Reports from The Athletic indicate that Partey has been unable to secure permission to enter Canada ahead of the match, leaving coach Carlos Queiroz without one of his most influential players just days before the tournament begins.
According to sources cited by the publication, Partey’s travel restrictions mean he cannot join the squad in Toronto and will therefore miss the clash against Panama.
Canadian immigration rules state that individuals who have committed or been convicted of certain crimes may be deemed inadmissible to the country. While Partey has not been convicted of any offence, he is currently facing criminal charges in the United Kingdom.
The former Arsenal star, who now plays for Villarreal, was charged by London’s Metropolitan Police in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He entered not guilty pleas to those charges in September 2025.
Additional charges involving two further counts of rape were brought against him in February 2026. Partey again pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court in April.
The legal proceedings remain ongoing, with his trial now scheduled for June 2027 following a postponement. He remains on bail and continues to deny all allegations against him.
Despite the pending case, Ghana included Partey in their World Cup squad. Queiroz has previously defended the decision, citing the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
At present, there have been no reports of any other nation refusing Partey entry because of the legal case.
While his absence is a significant blow for Ghana’s opening match, there is still hope he could feature later in the tournament.
Ghana’s remaining Group L fixtures are scheduled to take place in the United States, where they will face England in Foxborough on June 23 before taking on Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Partey’s experience, composure and ability to dictate play from midfield were expected to be central to Ghana’s campaign. Without him, the Black Stars may need to adopt a more conservative approach against Panama, a match many viewed as crucial to their chances of advancing from the group.
Players such as Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo will now shoulder greater responsibility as Ghana seek a positive start to their World Cup journey.
Whether Partey can join the squad for the matches in the United States remains uncertain, but his absence from the opening fixture leaves Ghana facing an early challenge in a group where every point could prove decisive.
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