Canada visa refusal keeps Thomas Partey out of Ghana World Cup opener

TORONTO (AP) — Ghana will start its World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday without midfielder Thomas Partey, after Canadian authorities turned down his visa request while he faces several rape charges awaiting trial in London.

FIFA said Friday that Partey, 32, cannot leave Ghana's team headquarters in Smithfield, Rhode Island, to join the squad for the Toronto fixture.

According to world football's governing body, Canada's government rejected the application. FIFA also said it does not handle host-nation immigration decisions, including visa rulings, and that, as in past FIFA tournaments, the host government has the final say on who gets a visa and is allowed to enter.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada had not immediately answered an email request for comment. The Ghana football association also did not immediately respond.

After the refusal, Partey was on his way back to Ghana's Rhode Island camp. He remains eligible for Ghana's June 23 group match against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Ghana's final group game is set for June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.

Partey is due to go before a court in November or later over allegations linked to his spell at Arsenal in England from 2020 to 2025. He now plays for Villarreal in Spain and has denied the charges.

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, another player at the World Cup, is also waiting for trial in Paris on similar allegations.

Ghana is appearing at the World Cup for the fifth time in the past six editions.