Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in his team’s World Cup game against Panama next week after his visa application to Canada was refused, FIFA said on Friday.
The former Arsenal midfielder was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 and two months later pleaded not guilty. In February Partey, who now plays in Spain with Villarreal, was charged with two additional counts of rape and has also pleaded not guilty to those charges.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.”
