BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER, CANADA

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Panama after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application, citing his failure to disclose ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

Partey, 33, was denied entry into Canada ahead of Wednesday’s Group L clash in Toronto after immigration officials determined that he had incorrectly stated in his visa application that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.

According to a ruling by a federal court in Ottawa, which dismissed an appeal seeking to allow the player temporary entry for the match, there was “no serious issue in the underlying refusal” of the visa application. The court found that Partey “failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK”.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now with Spanish club Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.

Canada’s immigration authorities maintained that hosting a major sporting event such as the World Cup does not exempt visitors from the country’s immigration requirements.

“Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in a statement. “Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.”

IRCC officials had earlier raised concerns about whether Partey had met the requirement to answer questions truthfully on his application. The court ruling noted that under Canadian immigration law, a criminal conviction is not necessary for a person to be deemed inadmissible.

The judgment stated that “having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient” to deny entry.

The Ghanaian government had sought special permission for Partey to enter Canada solely for the World Cup fixture, but the request was unsuccessful.

The decision contrasts with that of the United States, which allowed Partey entry for matches scheduled on American soil.

In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it was aware of the pending court case but noted that the player had not been convicted of any crime and had been granted a visa.

“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” CBP said, adding that questions regarding the Canadian refusal should be directed to Canadian authorities.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz had selected Partey in his World Cup squad despite the legal proceedings and remained hopeful of a favourable outcome until the final decision was delivered.

“My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me,” Queiroz said on Tuesday. “We are waiting for a decision. When the decision arrives, we are ready.”

Partey’s absence is a significant blow to Ghana, for whom he has earned more than 50 caps since making his international debut in 2016.

After facing Panama in Toronto, Ghana will continue their World Cup campaign in the United States, taking on England in Boston on June 23 before meeting Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. The Black Stars could return to Canada in the knockout stage should they advance as runners-up in Group L.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

Lionel Messi added yet another remarkable chapter to his glittering career on Tuesday (Wednesday in Africa and Europe) scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his career as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their opening Group J match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The night was already destined to be special for the Argentine captain as he made his 200th international appearance, becoming only the second male footballer to reach the milestone after Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, however, ensured the occasion would be remembered for much more than the landmark cap.

At 38 years old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced a vintage performance, netting all three goals to register his maiden World Cup hat-trick and further cement his place among football’s immortals.

The feat carried multiple layers of history.

Messi became the oldest goalscorer in Argentina’s history at a World Cup, surpassing the previous mark while also extending a curious personal connection with Algeria.

The North Africans were the opponents against whom he scored his first international goal for Argentina in a friendly in 2007. Then aged just 19, Messi became Argentina’s youngest goalscorer when he found the net in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Algeria.

Nineteen years later, and on the same opposition, he rewrote the record books once again.

His treble against Algeria also expanded an exclusive World Cup record. Messi has now scored against 10 different nations at the global finals, adding Algeria to a list that already included Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands and France.

The hat-trick elevated Messi into another select club in World Cup history.

Before Tuesday’s match, 54 hat-tricks had been recorded in World Cup history by 50 different players. Messi’s achievement raised those figures to 55 hat-tricks scored by 51 players.

Only four players have previously managed to score two World Cup hat-tricks: Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis, France’s Just Fontaine, West Germany’s Gerd Müller and Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta, who remains the only player to have recorded hat-tricks in two different World Cup tournaments.

World Cup hat-tricks remain among the rarest feats in football. The first was scored by American Bert Patenaude against Paraguay at the inaugural tournament in 1930. Only two players have managed the feat in a World Cup final — England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 and France’s Kylian Mbappé in 2022.

Messi’s masterclass ensured his name is now firmly etched into that distinguished list.

For Argentina, the victory provided a perfect start to their World Cup campaign. For Messi, it was another night when records tumbled, history beckoned, and football’s enduring superstar once again demonstrated why he remains one of the game’s greatest-ever players.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER

England and Croatia will renew a rivalry forged on football’s biggest stage when the two nations meet in a heavyweight Group L clash at the FIFA World Cup.

The encounter pits together one of the tournament’s traditional powers against one of its most consistent performers in recent editions. England, champions in 1966 and appearing in their 17th World Cup, enter the tournament among the favourites after a strong qualifying campaign.

Croatia, however, have developed a reputation for thriving under pressure at major tournaments. Remarkably, their only defeats in their last 14 World Cup matches have come against eventual champions France in 2018 and Argentina in 2022.

The fixture inevitably recalls Croatia’s dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, a result that propelled the Balkan nation to its first final.

With both teams expected to challenge for top spot in Group L, the outcome could have a significant bearing on the knockout-round path awaiting the winner.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H