World Cup visa issues are already one of the tournament’s major off-pitch talking points.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States despite holding a visa, and Thomas Partey’s failed Canada application has only increased scrutiny around tournament access.
The Ghana midfielder had his visa denied last Friday, and that situation now has a major update as his appeal was rejected.
Thomas Partey loses Canada visa appeal before Ghana opener
Partey has lost his appeal against Canada’s refusal to grant him entry before Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto.
According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, court documents showed Partey or Ghana FA initially answered negatively when asked whether he had any outstanding criminal charges.
That became central because Partey faces rape and sexual assault allegations in the UK. He has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with his trial delayed until June 2027.
Ghana face Panama without Thomas Partey in Toronto
Ghana now begin their World Cup campaign without Partey against Panama at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday.
It is still a match the Black Stars will expect to target, with Panama widely seen as the weakest side in a group that also includes England and Croatia.
Their next two group games are in the United States, against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia. Ghana will hope Partey can be available there, because losing him for the opener has already made their World Cup more complicated.
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