Ghana vice-captain Thomas Partey will not join his team for their first World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Canadian immigration officials denied a visa to Partey, who was charged with rape in England earlier this year.
The Athletic first reported the news.
Partey faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault stemming from allegations made by four different women. He pleaded not guilty to all counts, is awaiting trial in London, and has not been convicted.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement. “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
