• Ghana's midfielder Thomas Partey denied entry into Canada due to visa issues.
• His visa was denied while he awaits trial on multiple charges in the UK.
• Ghana's government criticized Canada's decision as "unfair."
• Partey can still play in subsequent matches against England and Croatia.
• The Canadian government asserts that all visa applications are assessed individually.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada, thus missing his team's World Cup opener against Panama due to unresolved legal issues in the United Kingdom. FIFA confirmed that the 32-year-old Partey's visa application was refused, emphasizing that it does not intervene in immigration processes, which are solely determined by the host country, according to Al Jazeera and Africa News.

The Canadian government cited pending charges against Partey, which include allegations of rape, as the basis for the visa denial. A statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicated that all individuals seeking entry are assessed based on the law and available facts. “Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the IRCC noted, affirming that hosting the event does not alter immigration laws, according to Reuters.

In response to the visa denial, Ghana's foreign ministry labeled Canada’s action as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” arguing that reliance on unproven allegations in the absence of judicial findings raises significant concerns about fairness. The Ghanaian government has launched a formal protest against this decision, requesting a review, according to Reuters.

Despite these challenges, Partey will be eligible to play in Ghana's upcoming matches against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains with the squad in the U.S., indicating that he will prepare for future games, according to Africa News and Al Jazeera.