Ghana will be without a key midfielder for its World Cup opener. Thomas Partey, 32, of Spanish club Villarreal, has been denied entry to Canada by the country's immigration authorities and will miss the opening Group L match against Panama in Toronto.
FIFA confirmed that Canadian government rejected the application according to its immigration laws regarding individuals with pending criminal charges. Partey faces seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has not been convicted.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz previously backed Partey's inclusion. The midfielder may still feature in matches against England on June 23 in Foxborough, Boston, and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
The absence of the experienced midfielder weakens Ghana's midfield early in the tournament. Reserve midfielders lack the match fitness at the highest level. Loss of Partey impacts Ghana's first-match stability, relevant for markets on match outcome and total goals.