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Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in their World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to enter Canada was refused, FIFA said on Friday.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement to Reuters.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.”
The 32-year-old Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder who now plays for Villarreal, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom. He has denied the charges.
Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies, a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told CBC News.
That means foreign nationals can be found inadmissible even without a foreign conviction, the spokesperson added.
“When there are reasonable grounds to believe an act that would trigger inadmissibility has been committed by an applicant, they can be deemed inadmissible to Canada,” IRCC said.
“Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians.”
Partey is with the rest of the Ghana squad in Boston and will be eligible to play in their subsequent Group L matches against England in the city and versus Croatia in Philadelphia.
Earlier this month, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz explained why he picked Partey in his World Cup squad, citing a presumption of innocence.
Canadian soccer is making history with Toronto hosting its first ever FIFA World Cup match June 12 with Team Canada taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here’s what some fans want Canada’s squad to know going into their first World Cup match.
