Word Cup: FIFA Confirms Partey’s Denial of Entry to Canada Ahead of Black Stars Game at BMO Field

Ghana’s Black Stars will play their sixteenth World Cup game against Panama’s Red Tide at the BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, the 17th of June, 2026.

The two sides will meet for the first time in their head-to-head statistics, as Ghana is set to meet a country from the North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) at the World Cup after meeting with the United States of America in the editions Germany ‘2006, South Africa ‘2010 and Brazil ‘2014.

Thomas Teye Partey, Ghana’s reliable workaholic midfielder, is appearing at the World Cup for the second time, and he made the official 26-man squad published by Carlos Queiroz, but he will not be in Canada for the opening game against Panama.

The Black Stars, four-time African champions, touched down on the soil of the United States, Rhode Island, as the team entered the final stage of their preparations on Friday morning.

The African giants were supposed to enter the territory of Canada to honour their Group L opening game at BMO Field Stadium to continue their preparations for the World Cup, but a sad incident struck their camp.

The Black Stars camp has reported that the government of Canada denied former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey entry into Canada.

“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” according to a statement by FIFA.

Ghana midfielder Partey, from Villareal, has been refused a visa by the Canadian government and will not be able to travel from the country’s training base in Boston.

“If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada,” the Canadian government website states regarding visiting the country.