Ghana’s World Cup star Thomas Partey refused to enter Canada on rape charges
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One of the stars of the Ghanaian team that will play in the World Cup will be absent from their first game of the tournament in Canada after being denied entry into the country.
Thomas Partey, who once ran for Arsenal, who now plays for Villarreal in La Liga, is currently facing seven charges of rape, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from the Ghana team camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, as his visa application was rejected by the Canadian government,” said FIFA in a statement, via The Athletic.
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Thomas Partey of Ghana plays during the international friendly match between Wales and Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on June 2, 2026. (Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images)
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration process of the participating countries, including the determination of visas. As in previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately decides who will receive a visa and be admitted.”
Five of these cases were opened by the London Metropolitan Police last July, and the other two came earlier this year.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz explained why he chose Partey in his World Cup team while he was awaiting trial.
Queiroz cited Partey’s presumption of innocence, criticized the snap judgments of modern social media and waxed philosophical in comments late Monday ahead of a friendly in Wales.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey leaves Southwark Crown Court in London following his trial on April 13, 2026. Partey, who plays for Spanish club Villarreal, was charged in February with two others of rape. (Toby Shepheard/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Let events continue as usual, the river will flow and one day when the river meets the sea we will find the truth,” said Queiroz, a veteran coach who will play in the fifth World Cup in a row after leading his country in Portugal and Iran in previous editions.
Ghana is expected to open its tournament on Wednesday against Panama in Toronto. Ghana will play against England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium and on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Thomas Partey of Ghana reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 30, 2026. (Mika Volkmann/Getty Images)
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Party is accused of raping four women from 2020 to 2022.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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