The participation of players accused of sexual assault has become a contentious issue following the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup. Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada due to visa issues, preventing him from playing in the team's opening group match, while Japan midfielder Sano Gai Shu took to the field.
The South China Morning Post reported on June 14 that the two players facing sexual assault allegations are receiving contrasting treatment at the World Cup.
Partey was denied a visa to Canada due to allegations of rape and sexual assault, which means he will miss Ghana's first group match against Panama on June 18 in Toronto. FIFA stated that the issuance of visas is under the authority of the host country's government.
Currently, Partey is facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault in the UK, which he denies. While he has been barred from entering Canada, he is reportedly allowed to enter the United States, raising the possibility that he could join Ghana for subsequent group matches in the U.S.
In contrast, Sano is included on Japan's official World Cup roster. He was previously arrested for allegedly raping a woman in a Tokyo hotel in July 2024, alongside two acquaintances. According to Japanese media, he denied the allegations during the investigation, and after reaching an agreement with the victim, prosecutors chose not to file charges against him.
Sano, a defensive midfielder playing for Mainz in the German Bundesliga, participated in Japan's group match against the Netherlands on June 15 at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The cases of Partey and Sano highlight legal differences. Partey is facing a criminal trial and maintains his innocence, while Sano was previously arrested but not prosecuted. Nonetheless, the appropriateness of allowing a player with allegations of sexual misconduct to compete on the World Cup stage remains a topic of ongoing debate.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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