Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is set to miss multiple matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into Canada following the refusal of his visa application by Canadian authorities.
The 32-year-old has already been ruled out of Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 17, dealing an early blow to the Black Stars’ campaign.
Partey’s absence could extend beyond the group stage depending on Ghana’s progress in the tournament. Under the World Cup schedule, if the Black Stars finish second in Group L, they will return to Toronto for their round of 32 fixture, making the midfielder unavailable once again.
Should Ghana advance as one of the best third-placed teams and win their round of 32 match, they would then face a Round of 16 tie in Vancouver, another fixture Partey would be forced to miss due to the entry restrictions.
As a result, the former Arsenal midfielder will only be eligible for matches staged in the United States, with any World Cup fixture scheduled in Canada placing him out of contention.
The development leaves Ghana facing the prospect of navigating key stages of the tournament without one of their most experienced players, should they be required to play knockout matches on Canadian soil.
