Thomas Partey out of Ghana’s World Cup opener after visa application to Canada refused

The Ghana defender Thomas Partey will miss their opening World Cup crippled against Panama aft being refused a visa to Canada, wherever nan crippled is being staged successful Toronto.

In a statement, Fifa said: “Fifa tin corroborate that subordinate Thomas Partey will beryllium incapable to recreation from Ghana’s squad guidelines campy successful Boston, USA, to Canada for their first lucifer against Panama connected Wednesday, 17 June, arsenic his visa exertion has been refused by nan Canadian government.

“Fifa is not progressive successful nan migration processes of big countries, including nan adjudication of visas. As pinch erstwhile Fifa events, nan big authorities yet determines who receives a visa and is admitted into nan country.”

The erstwhile Arsenal midfielder, 32, now plays for Villareal successful Spain.

In 2025 Partey was charged successful nan UK pinch 5 counts of rape and 1 count of intersexual battle relating to alleged incidents betwixt 2021 and 2022.

Partey pleaded not blameworthy to each those charges astatine Southwark crown tribunal successful September. In February of this twelvemonth he faced 2 caller counts of rape aft different female came guardant to police. In April he pleaded not blameworthy to those 2 allegations of rape. A proceedings is owed to return spot successful June 2027.

His defence lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said: “Thomas Partey continues to contradict each charges against him. He has cooperated pinch nan constabulary throughout.”

After their lucifer successful Toronto, Ghana are owed to play England successful Boston connected 23 June and Croatia successful Philadelphia connected 27 June.

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