FIFA confirms that Thomas Partey will stay in Boston and will miss his debut against Panama, on Wednesday (June 17), in Toronto
The Ghana national team will not be able to count on the player Thomas Partey in their debut against Panama in the World Cup. The Canadian government denied the 32-year-old player an entry visa. FIFA (International Football Federation) confirmed the information this Friday (June 12, 2026).
Partey will remain at the Ghanaian team’s training center in Boston, United States. The match against Panama is scheduled for next Wednesday (June 17, 2026), at the Toronto Stadium, in Canada.
The former athlete from English club Arsenal had his visa application rejected by Canadian authorities, which prevents him from traveling to the country from Boston.
“FIFA confirms that player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from the Ghana national team’s training center in Boston, USA, to Canada for the debut against Panama on Wednesday (June 17), as his visa application was denied by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the host countries’ immigration processes, including visa analysis”declared the federation to .
Sexual assault
Three women report that they were victims of sexual assault by the player, in 2021 and 2022, in the United Kingdom. Partey was never convicted and denies the information.
The Ghanaian team will face England, in Boston, and Croatia, in Philadelphia. Partey could be linked to these two matches, as both will take place in North American territory, where the player is located.
