2026 World Cup: Ghana government condemns Canada's visa denial of Thomas Partey ahead of opener against Panama
The Government of Ghana has strongly criticised Canada's decision to deny a visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the country's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the move as unfair and a violation of the principle of presumption of innocence.
Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams disclosed that Ghana had officially protested the decision after Canadian immigration authorities refused to grant the midfielder entry clearance for Ghana's Group H fixture against Panama on June 17.
Speaking on TV3 on Friday, Mr Adams revealed that Ghana's World Cup delegation had followed all required procedures in applying for visas for players and officials travelling to Canada, one of the tournament's three host nations.
According to him, the visa applications were initially submitted in London, where Partey is based, with authorities indicating that the visas would eventually be processed in the United States.
"We applied for visas for our players and officials who needed them. We put in an application in the United Kingdom, specifically in London. And so we were told that the visas would be issued for us in America," the Minister explained.
Mr Adams said the process continued after the Black Stars arrived at their training camp in Boston, where Partey was invited to complete biometric procedures at the Canadian Embassy.
However, Ghanaian officials later received notification that the player's visa application had been rejected.
"And in the evening of yesterday, American time, we got communication that he has been denied an entry visa. And the reason is that he's been charged with some counts of rape and sexual abuse in the United Kingdom," he said.
The Sports Minister questioned the basis of the decision, arguing that Partey remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The midfielder is currently facing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom but has not been convicted of any offence.
"Back in the UK and in London, where he's standing trial, at least he's assumed to be innocent until proven otherwise in a court of competent jurisdiction," Mr Adams stated.
He further noted that despite the ongoing legal case, Partey continues to live and work legally in the United Kingdom and is permitted to travel under conditions set by the court.
"He continues to apply his trade as a footballer. He continued to work freely, albeit he is on bail in the UK and other parts of Europe. He moves around just like any other person, with some levels of bail conditions that he meets regularly," he said.
"He's not been denied any right to enter any European country. Neither has he been denied the opportunity to ply his trade, which is football."
Mr Adams revealed that Ghana had lodged a formal protest with Canadian authorities, insisting that Partey's trip was directly linked to his participation in a FIFA-sanctioned competition rather than a personal visit.
"For them to deny a visa to such a person, we think that is unfair and it's overreacting, and we have strongly protested these acts of the Immigration Unit of Canada," he said.
"We think that is wrong completely because Thomas is not visiting Canada on just his own volition. It is because he's doing so because Canada bid alongside other countries to host the FIFA World Cup."
The Minister warned that the decision could create complications for future international sporting events if host nations are allowed to deny entry to selected athletes who have not been convicted of any crimes.
He also called on FIFA to take a greater interest in the matter, arguing that the situation could set a troubling precedent for the tournament.
"It will set a really, really bad precedent for this competition, and FIFA itself must rise up. Especially that the vice president of FIFA is a Canadian," Mr Adams said.
The controversy has reignited debate over immigration policies affecting athletes participating in the first FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
While FIFA has maintained that immigration decisions remain the responsibility of individual host governments, the issue has attracted widespread attention among football administrators, legal observers and supporters.
Partey's absence would be a significant setback for Ghana's World Cup campaign. The experienced midfielder played a key role in the Black Stars' qualification journey and is regarded as one of the team's most influential figures heading into the tournament.
As of Friday evening, Ghanaian officials said they had yet to receive a response from Canadian authorities regarding their protest.
"I'm not aware of any response yet," Mr Adams said.
Nevertheless, the Minister expressed optimism that Canada would reconsider its position, citing the importance of upholding legal principles and ensuring fair treatment for athletes competing on the global stage.
"I believe Canada should be a liberal country. That's what they tell us that they are," he said, adding that a country that advocates for individual rights should be careful not to undermine the principle that an accused person remains innocent until proven guilty.
With less than a week remaining before Ghana's opening World Cup fixture, attention is now focused on whether diplomatic efforts and possible engagement with FIFA can reverse the decision and allow Partey to join the Black Stars squad in Canada.