Thomas Partey Misses World Cup Opener Due to Visa Issues

Thomas Partey, a 32-year-old midfielder currently playing for Villarreal CF, will miss Ghana's opening match against Panama in the 2026 World Cup due to a visa rejection by Canadian authorities. The Ghana national team is scheduled to train in Boston ahead of their group stage encounter.

However, Canadian authorities denied Partey's visa application, preventing him from entering the country. FIFA confirmed that this visa issue does not interfere with immigration decisions made by the host nation, as the ultimate determination of visa admission lies with the host government's immigration body.

Partey's absence is expected to be a significant setback for Ghana, given his experience and influence in the midfield. Additionally, he is facing legal issues, having pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault related to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022, with a trial scheduled for next year.