Fulltime Herald answers your questions concerning Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey and his participation at the World Cup
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss their opening World Cup 2026 Group L match against Panama after being denied a visa to enter Canada.
The denial was because the midfielder is facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges in the UK.
So what happens now, and can Partey still play for Ghana at the tournament?
What are the charges?
Partey was charged on 4 July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty to all six charges in September.
The allegations relate to three women and the incidents are alleged to have taken place in 2021 and 2022. Detectives from UK police began investigations after receiving a report of alleged rape in February 2022, when Partey was still playing for Arsenal.
In February 2026, prosecutors brought two further rape charges against Partey following a separate investigation. He pleaded not guilty to those charges in April.
Responding to the charges earlier this year, Partey’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, said: “Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated fully with the police throughout. Given that legal proceedings are ongoing, there will be no further comment.”
The case is due to be heard at Southwark Crown Court in London. A trial had originally been scheduled for November, but reports suggest proceedings could now be pushed back until early 2027.
Can Partey still play for Ghana at the World Cup?
At present, yes – but only in matches played in the US, and perhaps Mexico.
Partey was granted a visa to enter the US and he travelled with Ghana’s squad when they arrived in Washington DC on 4 June ahead of the tournament.
Ghana’s training base is at Bryant University in Rhode Island, where Partey has been training with the Black Stars in preparation for the competition.
The midfielder will not, however, be available for Ghana’s opening group game against Panama in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied his visa application.
Canada’s immigration rules say that individuals who have committed or been convicted of certain crimes may be refused entry. Partey has only been charged, however. He has not been convicted and is still awaiting trial.
He could be found guilty or innocent, the latter happening in the case of Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy, who was acquitted of eight counts of rape in July 2023.
In relation to the case, Fifa said: “Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous Fifa events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.
Partey’s absence from the Panama match does not rule him out of the rest of Ghana’s group-stage campaign. Ghana’s remaining fixtures are both scheduled to take place in the US: against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts on 23 June and against Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.
Provided there are no further travel restrictions or legal developments, Partey remains eligible to train and play in those matches.
However, he might face difficulty again if Ghana qualify for the knockouts, as some of the Black Stars’ games could still be played in Canada, depending on whether they finish second or third as best losers in Group L.
If Ghana were to finish in either of those positions, they would play either a round-of-32 or a round-of-16 game in Canada. If they win Group L, they will play their round-of-32 game in the US, and if they win that, then Ghana would have to secure a visa or Partey to play their round-of-16 game, which would be in Mexico.
