Ghana's government has strongly criticized Canada's decision to deny a visa to footballer Thomas Partey, preventing him from playing in a match in Toronto. Ghana cited the presumption of innocence, as Partey has pending charges in the UK without a conviction.
Ghana's government has strongly criticized Canada's decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for the World Cup opener, citing "extremely unfair" reliance on unproven rape charges. Ghana is pursuing diplomatic and legal action to overturn the refusal.
France coach Didier Deschamps voiced concerns over player workload and burnout due to increased tournament formats. Meanwhile, Ghana lodged a protest against Canada for denying a visa to player Thomas Partey, who faces rape charges in the UK, preventing his participation in the World Cup opener. Spain is using special cooling vests to combat heat during training.
Ghana has filed a formal protest against Canada's decision to deny a visa to footballer Thomas Partey, who is facing rape charges in the UK, preventing him from participating in the World Cup. The Ghanaian Foreign Minister called the decision "arbitrary and extremely unfair," while FIFA confirmed Partey cannot travel to Canada for the opening match.
Ghana's government has strongly criticized Canada's decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for a World Cup game, calling it "high-handed and extremely unfair." The denial is reportedly due to pending criminal proceedings in Britain against Partey, who denies the charges.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup, has been nominated by UEFA to officiate the European Super Cup. This follows issues with US visa policies affecting fans and officials.
The 2026 World Cup is marred by visa issues and strict US border controls affecting teams from Iran, Iraq, Somalia, and Senegal. Players and officials face prolonged interrogations, denied entry, and restrictive conditions, raising human rights concerns.
The US government is facing sharp criticism from human rights experts and immigration advocates over visa complications and entry denials for athletes and officials participating in the FIFA World Cup. Incidents involving a Somali referee, the Iranian football team, and Iraqi players have highlighted concerns about discrimination and geopolitical tensions impacting the tournament.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino expressed regret over visa issues for a Somali referee and Iran fans, and ticket cancellations for Iranian supporters. He stated Fifa cannot control host country governments and police, emphasizing security and respecting national laws.
Iran accuses the US of denying visas to key staff of its national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, despite players receiving visas, citing "politically biased interference" amid heightened tensions.
Iran criticizes the US for denying visas to key members of its World Cup squad, including the team manager, Foreign Ministry representatives, and others, despite granting visas to players.
Iran criticizes the US for denying visas to key members of its World Cup team's delegation, calling it 'discriminatory treatment', despite players receiving visas just before their first match.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov described the ongoing US visa denials for Russian citizens as a "regrettable situation." He stated that bilateral consultations with the US State Department are complex but expressed hope for a resolution, noting that the intensity of talks fluctuates.
