Partey to Miss Ghana's Opener Due to Visa Issue

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his team's opening World Cup match against Panama on Wednesday after his Canadian visa application was rejected, FIFA announced on Friday.

"FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from the Ghana team's base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on June 17 (Wednesday), as his visa application was rejected by the Canadian government," FIFA stated in a release to Reuters.

FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host nations, including visa issuance.

Partey was denied entry into Canada due to rape allegations involving a woman in the UK, for which he is scheduled to stand trial in 2027. He will be eligible to play in his team's subsequent two matches – against England in Boston and against Croatia in Philadelphia – as he possesses a valid US visa.