Thomas Partey’s World Cup Participation in Question After Entry Denial
Partey denied entry to Canada for Ghana – Ghana’s World Cup campaign faces an unexpected hurdle as midfielder Thomas Partey, 32, is set to miss their opening match against Panama in Toronto. The former Arsenal player, currently with Spanish club Villarreal, was denied entry into Canada from his training base in Boston. This decision comes amid ongoing legal proceedings related to his alleged actions between 2020 and 2022.
Legal Charges and Pending Trial
Partey faces seven rape charges and one sexual assault count, brought by four women. While he has not been convicted, the Canadian government cited his alleged crimes as a reason for rejecting his visa application. FIFA clarified that it does not oversee immigration decisions, stating the host country determines admissibility.
“Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Admissibility Determination Process
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official noted that the U.S. is aware of Partey’s pending court case but admitted him after his visa was approved. The CBP emphasized that admissibility is assessed based on available information at the time of inspection.
“CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law. CBP defers to Canada for questions on his denial of entry.”
Broader Context of Visa Challenges
This incident is part of a wider trend where host nations have impacted team participation. Earlier this week, Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was detained at a Chicago airport but later allowed entry. Similarly, Iran had to relocate its base to Mexico, with fans’ tickets revoked and delegation members denied visas.
Referee Omar Artan’s Denial
Another notable case involves Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from the U.S. due to his ties to suspected terrorist groups. Artan, who had a diplomatic passport and a single-entry visa, explained his situation to the New York Times:
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”
Artan, recognized as the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, was set to become the first Somali official to referee at the World Cup finals. His visa denial highlights the scrutiny faced by individuals linked to security concerns.
Ghana’s Tournament Schedule and Potential Path
Ghana’s next matches are against England and Croatia, scheduled for June 23 and 27 at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough and Philadelphia, respectively. Partey could still participate in these games. If the team progresses past the group stage, they might return to Canada for the last-32 match, potentially facing the Group K runners-up in Toronto on July 2. A third-place finish could also see them play in Vancouver on July 7.
Coach Queiroz’s Stance
Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, expressed confidence in Partey’s selection, stating:
“If the player is here with me, my stance is clear. I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about? This is not for me or you to make a judgment. Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth.”
Queiroz’s remarks underscore the focus on on-field performance rather than off-field controversies, at least for now.
