Partey denied entry to Canada as USA thrash Paraguay and Marsch anthem row erupts on World Cup day two

Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada and will miss Ghana’s World Cup 2026 Group L opener against Panama in Toronto, after his visa application was refused by the Canadian government due to the former Arsenal midfielder awaiting trial for a number of sex offences — all of which he denies.

Fifa confirmed in a statement that the now-Villarreal player “will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp to Canada for their first match against Panama,” adding that the governing body “is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.” Partey has been granted entry to the United States, meaning he is expected to be available for Ghana’s second group game against England in Boston on Tuesday, June 23, and their concluding fixture against Croatia in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 27.

On the pitch, the United States opened their home World Cup campaign emphatically, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Co-hosts Canada had a more difficult evening, battling back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, substitute Cyle Larin rescuing a point after a tepid opening ceremony.

Canada’s match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding head coach Jesse Marsch, who was filmed enthusiastically singing the Canadian national anthem before kick-off. Former USA striker and pundit Clint Dempsey reacted with visible frustration, saying: “He really said that? Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously.” The reaction followed Marsch’s earlier admission that he would need to “beg” American players to sing their own anthem.

Empty seats continued to be a talking point on day two of the tournament. Fifa had previously attributed vacant spots during the opening night fixture between South Korea and Czechia in Guadalajara to fans lingering on concourses, but hundreds of empty seats were again visible in Toronto — the tournament’s smallest venue with a capacity of just over 45,000 — despite an official attendance of 43,008. SoFi Stadium also had a scattering of empty seats before the USA’s match got underway.