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Ghana's Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for FIFA World Cup amid
rape charges

   Reuters | Posted: June 12, 2026 6:25 PM | Last Updated: 16
   hours ago

   Under Canadian law, foreign nationals can be found inadmissible
   without a foreign conviction: IRCC

   Image | SOCCER-WORLDCUP-GROUPL/GHANA

   Caption: Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, centre, seen playing
   in October 2023, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault
   in the U.K. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)
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   Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part
   in their World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his
   visa application to enter Canada was refused, FIFA said on
   Friday.
   "FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to
   travel from Ghana's Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada
   for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as
   his visa application has been refused by the Canadian
   government," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters.
   "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host
   countries, including the adjudication of visas."
   Ghana issued a statement on Saturday, calling Canada's decision
   "high-handed and extremely unfair" and urging it to rescind the
   decision.
   "While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its
   immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven
   charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises
   fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality," Ghana's
   statement said.
   "Accordingly, Ghana is pursuing active diplomatic engagements
   with the relevant Canadian authorities on this matter."
   Partey, 32, a former Arsenal midfielder who now plays for
   Villarreal, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in the
   United Kingdom. He has denied the charges.
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   Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed
   individually, based on the facts available and the law that
   applies, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and
   Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told CBC News.
   That means foreign nationals can be found inadmissible even
   without a foreign conviction, the spokesperson added.
   "When there are reasonable grounds to believe an act that would
   trigger inadmissibility has been committed by an applicant,
   they can be deemed inadmissible to Canada," IRCC said.
   "Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World
   Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while
   maintaining the safety and security of Canadians."
   Partey is with the rest of the Ghana squad in Boston and will
   be eligible to play in their subsequent Group L matches against
   England in the city and versus Croatia in Philadelphia.
   Earlier this month, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz explained why he
   picked Partey in his World Cup squad, citing a presumption of
   innocence.
   WATCH | What's your message for Canada's team?:

   Media Video |

   Caption: Canadian soccer is making history with Toronto hosting
   its first ever FIFA World Cup match June 12 with Team Canada
   taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here’s what some fans want
   Canada’s squad to know going into their first World Cup match.
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