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As soon as the group stage matches of FIFA World Cup 2026 started, along with the excitement on the field, controversies and big upsets are also being seen. Just before the start of their campaign in the tournament, the Ghana national football team has suffered a huge and devastating blow. The team’s most reliable and star midfielder Thomas Partey will not be able to be a part of the team’s first opening match against Panama in Toronto, Canada. The reason for this is not any injury or poor form, but his visa application being rejected by the Canadian government.
FIFA brushes off: ‘Giving visas is not our job’
After this whole matter gained prominence, the global football body FIFA has issued an official statement clarifying the situation. FIFA has clarified that 32-year-old Thomas Partey has not been allowed to enter Canada, due to which he will not be able to fly to Toronto from Ghana’s base camp in Rhode Island (Smithfield), USA.
FIFA’s official stance
“The Government of Canada has rejected Thomas Partey’s visa application. FIFA never interferes in a host country’s immigration process or visa approval decisions. It is entirely the sovereign right of the country’s government to allow or deny entry of any player to their country.”
There is currently no detailed or official response from the Immigration Department of Canada (IRCC) and the Ghana Football Association on this matter.
Ghana’s upcoming World Cup schedule and party availability
After visa rejection, Thomas Partey has returned to the Ghana team camp in America. However, it is a matter of relief that he is not completely out of this Mahakumbh. Since this time the World Cup matches are being held in three different countries, he will be able to participate in the remaining group matches to be held in America.
Understand the upcoming schedule of Ghana team and the status of Thomas Partey from the table given below:
Did old legal disputes become the reason for visa rejection?
There is a strong discussion in the football circles that Thomas Partey’s old legal disputes could be the reason behind the rejection of Thomas Partey’s visa by the Canadian government. Thomas Partey currently plays for the Spanish club ‘Villarreal’, but between 2020 and 2025, when he was a part of the famous English Premier League club ‘Arsenal’, he faced many serious allegations (rape allegations) in Britain.
The trial in this high-profile case is expected to begin in November this year or later. However, Partey has vehemently rejected all the allegations against him and declared himself completely innocent. Interestingly, Morocco’s star defender Achraf Hakimi is also facing legal investigation and trial in France over similar allegations.
Big challenge for Ghana:
The Ghanaian team has made it to the main round five times out of the last six FIFA World Cups and this time too the fans have high expectations from them. But the absence of such an experienced and senior player in an important match like knockout even before the tournament can spoil the team’s combination. Now it remains to be seen how Ghana recovers from this setback and performs against Panama.