2026 World Cup: FIFA releases statement as Partey is denied entry into Canada
FIFA has announced that Thomas Partey, a player for Ghana, will not travel to Canada for the team’s opening match against Panama in the 2026 World Cup. The Canadian government denied Partey’s visa application due to allegations of rape.
As a result, Partey will miss the Black Stars’ first game of the tournament, scheduled for June 17. FIFA confirmed the situation in a statement on Friday, noting that the player would be unable to depart from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, Massachusetts.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the statement read. “As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
