Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLawrence OstlereFriday 12 June 2026 18:58 BSTThomas Partey will play no part in Ghana's first game of the tournament (Getty)Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada, preventing him from playing in his country's opening World Cup match against Panama on 17 June.The Canadian government refused his visa application, citing potential denial of entry for individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime, although Partey has not been convicted.Partey faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London, to which he has pleaded not guilty, with his trial potentially delayed until January next year.Despite the Canadian travel restriction, Partey was granted a US visa and remains eligible to play in Ghana's subsequent World Cup matches against England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.The player, who currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal and previously for Arsenal, is on bail with conditions including not contacting alleged victims and informing the court of international travel plans.In fullThomas Partey denied entry to Canada for World Cup game over rape allegationsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in