Partey misled Canadian officials over previous arrest

Image source, Getty Images

• Published16 June 2026

Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after wrongly telling officials in Canada he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.

Partey, 33, was denied entry to Canada before Wednesday's match in Toronto because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.

The Ghanaian government sought permission for him to enter the country briefly to take part in the game but that appeal was rejected at a federal court in Ottawa.

The appeal ruling said there was "no serious issue in the underlying refusal" of the visa and "the applicant failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK".

Former Arsenal midfielder Partey pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022 and is scheduled to stand trial next year.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told the BBC: ''Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws.

"Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.''

• Ghana boss Queiroz no qualms over Partey selection

  • Published1 June

IRCC officials had written to Partey to express concerns about whether his application had met the requirement to "answer truthfully" and referenced legislation covering misrepresentation which could impact a visa.

The court also noted that under immigration rules "having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient" and a conviction is not required "to find the applicant inadmissible".

In a statement, US customs and border protection (CBP) said: "The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey. However, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.

"Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP defers to Canada for questions on his denial of entry."

Partey, now with Spanish side Villarreal, has played more than 50 times for Ghana, having made his debut in June 2016.

Before the tournament, head coach Carlos Queiroz said he had no qualms over selecting Partey.

Asked about the issue again on Tuesday, he said: "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me.

"We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready."

Ghana play England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.

They could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L.

Related topics

• Football
• FIFA World Cup 2026
• Ghana

More on this story

• Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game

  • Published9 June
  

• World Cup fixtures and group standings

  

• How to watch the World Cup on the BBC

  • Published6 June
  

• Everything you need to know about the World Cup

  • Published1 April