Canada won't let Ghana player travel to Toronto for FIFA World Cup match

Ghana will have to play its FIFA World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday without one of its top players.

Despite a diplomatic protest, Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey did not travel with the squad from its training camp in Providence, R.I., to Toronto on Monday after Canadian authorities denied his travel visa on Friday due to pending criminal charges in the U.K.

The former Premier League star was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by British police in July 2025 and pleaded not guilty.

The 33-year-old is reportedly scheduled to stand trial later this year.

Ghana's foreign affairs minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, called on Canada to reverse the decision, arguing that the charges remain unproven and have not resulted in a conviction.

🎥 🇬🇭 “The decision was heavy-handed and rather unfortunate, and we are appealing to the Government of Canada to review it.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insists that efforts are underway to ensure Thomas Partey is available for the Panama game at the World… pic.twitter.com/BRqxEUtkjS — Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) June 15, 2026

Ablakwa filed a diplomatic protest, describing Canada's decision as "high-handed and unfortunate" to Ghana. He also requested that FIFA intervene and seek reconsideration.

FIFA responded by saying the organization does not participate in the immigration processes of host countries, including visa adjudications.

Canada's border authorities have the right to refuse entry to any foreign nationals, even in cases where there has not yet been a conviction.

Partey has the second-most international appearances on Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, earning 57 caps. He previously represented Ghana at the last two men's World Cup tournaments in Qatar and Russia.

Following Wednesday night's match in Toronto, Ghana will travel to Boston to face England on June 23 before the final group-stage match against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Partey's visa has been approved for the U.S., and he will remain at Ghana's training facility in Rhode Island while the team is in Toronto.