Two World Cup Players Face Sexual Assault Allegations with Contrasting Visa Outcomes

Shortly after the kick-off of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, two players accused of sexual assault have drawn widespread attention because of their starkly contrasting fates, with a Japanese player implicated in a gang rape case remaining on the tournament roster.

Official information confirmed on Saturday by football’s world governing body and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that Ghana’s star midfielder Thomas Partey was formally denied a Canadian visa because of rape allegations, barring him from entering the country.

The player is certain to miss Ghana’s opening group stage match against Panama on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Hong Kong time).

The United States had already permitted Partey to enter its national borders when the Black Stars set up their World Cup base camp in Providence, Rhode Island. Presumably, Partey would re-join the side for their second and third group games against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Meanwhile, Japan’s opening match against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas, early Monday morning reportedly features a player implicated in a gang rape.

Recently, an X user claiming to be a former professional journalist posted more than a dozen tweets warning local women in the host cities to stay vigilant against a rapist on the Japanese squad.