Ghana Sues Canada Over Denial of Thomas Partey Visa Ahead of 2026 World Cup Match
Ghana’s government has launched a legal challenge in Ottawa against Canada’s decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa. A court hearing is set for June 16 at 14:00 BST (09:00 local time), with officials hoping to overturn the ruling before the team’s opening World Cup fixture.
The 33‑year‑old Villarreal midfielder is currently facing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where he has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. His trial is scheduled to begin next year.
Ghanaian officials have criticised the visa refusal as “high‑handed and extremely unfair.” They are asking the court to grant Partey temporary entry to Canada so he can play against Panama and to instruct immigration authorities to allow him to submit a fresh visa application.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the state is pursuing both diplomatic and legal avenues to secure the player’s entry. The length of the proceedings remains uncertain, leaving doubt about whether a decision will be reached before kick‑off.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada responded to the BBC, stating that hosting major events does not alter Canadian immigration law and that every applicant is assessed individually on the facts and applicable legislation.
Partey has earned more than 50 caps for Ghana since his debut in June 2016 and remains a key figure in the squad despite his legal troubles. Coach Carlos Queiroz has said he has no concerns about selecting the midfielder for the tournament.
After the Panama match, Ghana is scheduled to face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. Should the Black Stars finish as runners‑up in Group L, they could return to Canada for a knockout‑stage encounter.
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