Partey's Canada trip goes south: No visa, no World Cup opener

Ottawa's federal court delivered the bad news Tuesday, Sky Sports confirmed. That's Partey sidelined for the Group L clash with Panama. He'll join up for the other two: England in Boston on June 23, and Croatia. US visa's already in hand.

Turns out, Partey's initial temporary resident visa (TRV) application on May 21 was a bit sparse. It claimed no arrests, charges, or convictions. Funny, that.

Ghana Football Association finally sent docs about the charges on May 27. Too late. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had already flagged concerns four days prior about his "truthfully" requirement.

Judge Roger R. Lafreniere didn't mince words dismissing the motion. Partey's follow-up letter and affidavit? "Fail to acknowledge, let alone explain why this material information was missing." Ouch.

Lafreniere also clarified the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act doesn't need a conviction. Just "reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed" is enough to deem someone inadmissible. Some loophole, huh?

Partey denies everything: seven charges of rape, one of sexual assault. Allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. Trial set for next year. Sky Sports News reported not guilty pleas after charges in July 2025, then again in April 2026 when two more rape charges piled on in February 2026. Sky Sports News reached out to the Ghana Football Association for their thoughts. Don't hold your breath.