World Cup 2026: Canada defends visa rejection of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of opener against Panama

Canada’s Immigration Minister Lena Diab has defended the decision to reject Thomas Partey’s visa application, a ruling that will rule the Ghana midfielder out of his country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Panama.

Partey, the former Arsenal player, is currently awaiting trial in London after pleading not guilty to multiple counts of rape.

His application to enter Canada was denied ahead of Ghana’s Group L opener scheduled for June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto.

In a statement issued through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Diab stressed that Canada’s hosting of the tournament does not override its immigration framework.

“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,” Lena Diab said in a statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

“Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws.

“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.”

Despite the setback, Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s remaining Group L fixtures, which are both scheduled in the United States—against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Ghana begin their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in a tightly contested group phase across North America.