Partey to Miss World Cup Opener as Canada Denies Entry Due to Allegations

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Thomas Partey, midfielder for Ghana

Fox News Sports - Thomas Partey, former Premier League star

WHAT:

The New York Times - Partey is eligible to feature in Ghana's matches against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

The New York Times - The trial for Partey’s seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027, with the original trial date set for November.

The New York Times - The initial six charges against Partey relate to three women and are alleged to have taken place in 2021 and 2022, while the two new charges relate to a fourth woman after a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020.

The New York Times - FIFA confirmed that Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama due to his visa application being refused by the Canadian government.

The New York Times - The trial for Partey’s seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027, with the original trial date set for November.

The New York Times - Ghana is set to open their tournament at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.

The New York Times - Ghana will play England at Gillette Stadium (Boston) on June 23 and close out Group L against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) on June 27.

The New York Times - Partey was included in Ghana’s squad for the tournament earlier this month and arrived in Washington D.C. with teammates on June 4.

The New York Times - Partey played 32 times for Villarreal during the 2025-26 domestic season.

The New York Times - Partey's contract with Villarreal expires at the end of June, with a one-year extension option available.

The New York Times - Thomas Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025.

The New York Times - Partey was charged with two new counts of rape in February 2026, to which he pleaded not guilty in April 2026.

The New York Times - The trial for the seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027.

Sportskeeda - Thomas Partey is set to miss Ghana's opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Fox News Sports - Partey was denied entry into Canada for Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama.

Fox News Sports - Thomas Partey is facing seven counts of rape charges.

WHERE:

The New York Times - Ghana's team base camp is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Sportskeeda - Canada

Fox News Sports - Canada

WHEN:

Fox News Sports - Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama is scheduled for next week.

WHY:

Fox News Sports - Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada due to ongoing legal issues related to the rape charges.

HOW:

The New York Times - The Canadian government denied Partey entry based on the allegations against him, as outlined on their official website regarding entry restrictions for individuals with criminal charges.

The New York Times - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that every person wanting to come to Canada is assessed individually based on the facts available and the law that applies.

Fox News Sports - Entry into Canada was denied based on the allegations against Partey.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 15:27 UTC)

Ghana's national team will have Thomas Partey available for their upcoming matches against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27, despite facing serious legal challenges. His trial for seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027, with the original date set for November. Meanwhile, the Canadian government has denied Partey entry due to the allegations against him, as stated on their official website regarding entry restrictions for individuals with criminal charges.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 06:19 UTC)

FIFA has confirmed that Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston to Canada for their first match against Panama due to his visa application being denied by the Canadian government. Additionally, the trial for Partey’s seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027, with the original date set for November. The initial six charges involve three women and are alleged to have occurred in 2021 and 2022, while the two new charges pertain to a fourth woman following a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 01:43 UTC)

Ghana is gearing up to kick off their tournament against Panama at Toronto’s BMO Field on Wednesday, June 17. Following that match, they will face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23 and wrap up Group L against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27. Partey, who was included in Ghana’s squad earlier this month and arrived in Washington D.C. with his teammates on June 4, played 32 times for Villarreal during the 2025-26 domestic season, and his contract with the club is set to expire at the end of June, although there is a one-year extension option available.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 21:31 UTC)

Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault stemming from incidents in July 2025, and he faced two additional counts of rape in February 2026, to which he pleaded not guilty in April 2026. The trial for these seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault is now expected to be delayed until early 2027. Meanwhile, the Canadian government has denied Partey entry due to the allegations against him, as stated on their official website regarding entry restrictions for individuals with criminal charges.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 19:38 UTC)

Thomas Partey, the midfielder for Ghana, is set to miss his team's opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama, which is scheduled for next week. He was denied entry into Canada due to ongoing legal issues, facing seven counts of rape charges. This denial of entry stems from the serious allegations against him, preventing him from participating in the highly anticipated tournament.