Full statement: FIFA confirms Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener after Canada visa refusal

FIFA has confirmed that Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will be unavailable for the Black Stars' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the Canadian government refused his visa application.

The world governing body issued the following statement 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 is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.

For any further questions, please contact the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) at [email protected]."

FIFA also confirmed that Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana's remaining Group L matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia, with both fixtures scheduled to take place in the United States.

Partey is currently facing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The Ghana international has denied all the charges through his legal representatives, and the case remains before the courts.

Despite missing the Panama fixture, FIFA confirmed that Partey remains eligible for Ghana's remaining Group L matches against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27, with both fixtures taking place in the United States.

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