By OkayGoal 
Thomas Partey’s absence from Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama may not be the only game he misses â the midfielder could be sidelined for additional matches in Canada depending on how far the Black Stars progress.
Partey was denied entry into Canada due to his visa application being refused by Canadian authorities, ruling him out of Ghana’s Group L opener at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 17.
While he remains eligible for the team’s remaining group matches against England (Boston) and Croatia (Philadelphia), his future participation in the tournament could be compromised if Ghana advance to knockout stages hosted in Canada.
How Partey could miss more games
Under the 2026 World Cup format, Ghana’s potential knockout path could bring them back to Canada:
– If Ghana finish second in Group L, they would play their Round of 32 match in Toronto â meaning Partey would be unavailable.
– If Ghana finish as one of the best third-placed teams and win their Round of 32 match, they would then play their Round of 16 tie in Vancouver â again ruling Partey out.
That means the 32-year-old midfielder could only feature in matches played on US soil. Any knockout fixture scheduled in Canada would see him barred from entry.
A significant blow for Ghana
The visa issue has already forced coach Carlos Queiroz to adjust his plans for the Panama opener, with youngster Caleb Yirenkyi among those tipped to step in. But if Ghana exceed expectations and go deep into the tournament, Partey’s availability could become a recurring headache.
Partey is currently standing trial in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
He has denied all charges. Neither FIFA nor the Canadian government has disclosed the specific reason for the visa refusal, though Canadian immigration rules allow for denial based on criminal charges.
Ghana open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England and Croatia. Their path beyond the group stage remains uncertain, but Partey’s limited availability adds another layer of complexity to the Black Stars’ hopes.