Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied him entry into the country.

Partey, 32, is currently based with Ghana’s squad in Boston, United States, but will be unable to travel to Canada after his visa application was rejected by the Canadian government.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed that the former Arsenal midfielder, who now plays for Villarreal CF, would not be available for Ghana’s first game of the tournament.

FIFA emphasized that it has no role in the immigration decisions of host nations and that visa approvals and admissions are determined solely by the relevant government authorities.

Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault involving allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year and has not been convicted of any offence.

Canadian immigration officials declined to comment on the specific case but stated that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada applies immigration laws consistently to all applicants, regardless of nationality, public profile or involvement in international sporting events.

Officials added that immigration officers assess admissibility under Canadian law and may refuse entry if they determine an individual could pose a security risk.

The Canadian government’s immigration guidelines state that individuals who have committed or been convicted of certain crimes may be found inadmissible to the country.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said American authorities were aware of the pending legal proceedings involving Partey. However, because he has not been convicted of a crime, he was granted a visa and admitted into the United States.

The agency noted that entry decisions are made on a case-by-case basis using available law enforcement, immigration and national security information, while questions regarding Canada’s decision should be directed to Canadian authorities.

Partey’s absence represents a significant setback for Ghana ahead of its World Cup campaign, with the experienced midfielder now set to miss the team’s crucial opening fixture against Panama while legal and immigration issues continue to unfold.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was poised to become the first official from Somalia to referee at the FIFA World Cup finals, has been denied entry into the United States.

Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was reportedly stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival at Miami International Airport. He has since traveled to Turkey after being denied admission.

United States immigration officials have not publicly provided a reason for the decision. However, the development comes amid travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Somalia, under policies introduced by the administration of Donald Trump.

Artan had been selected by FIFA as one of 52 match officials chosen to oversee games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 12 to July 19.

A respected figure in Somali football, Artan has served as an official in the country’s national league and earned FIFA referee status in 2018. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation on the continent, officiating matches at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations and other major competitions.

The incident has raised questions about the impact of travel restrictions on international sporting events, particularly as the United States prepares to host the world’s biggest football tournament alongside its North American partners. FIFA has yet to comment publicly on how Artan’s exclusion could affect its officiating plans for the competition.

The Netherlands have suffered a significant setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup after defender Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury.

Timber, 24, has been struggling with the issue since mid-March and has not recovered sufficiently to participate in the competition, according to the Royal Dutch Football Association.

The defender had recently returned to action, making his first appearance in more than two months when he came off the bench during the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May. He entered the match in the 66th minute against Paris Saint-Germain, marking his first appearance since a victory over Everton on 14 March.

Before the Champions League final, Mikel Arteta had indicated that Timber was fit enough to be involved.

However, after further medical assessment with the Dutch national team, officials concluded that the defender would not be able to take part in the World Cup safely.

The KNVB said Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” to compete in the tournament in a medically responsible manner.

“In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the friendly game against Uzbekistan,” the federation said in a statement.

Timber has been an important member of the Dutch squad since making his international debut in June 2021 and has earned 23 caps for the national team.

To replace him, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has called up defender Lutsharel Geertruida. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.

The Dutch will begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on 14 June before facing Sweden and Tunisia in the remaining Group F fixtures.

Timber’s absence is a major blow for the Oranje, who had hoped the versatile defender would play a key role in their bid for World Cup success.