Thomas Partey to miss Ghana’s World Cup opener after Canadian court dismisses visa appeal

Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a Canadian court dismissed his appeal against the refusal of a visa to enter the country.

The ruling comes despite diplomatic efforts by the Government of Ghana to secure his entry after Canadian authorities initially rejected his application for a Temporary Resident Visa.

Partey was denied entry into Canada due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where he faces multiple rape charges. Immigration authorities cited the case as the basis for refusing his visa application.

The Ghanaian government subsequently engaged Canadian authorities in a bid to overturn the decision, stressing that the midfielder has not been convicted of any offence and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa earlier confirmed that Ghana was actively pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve the matter ahead of the Black Stars’ opening Group Stage fixture against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.

However, the latest court decision means Partey remains ineligible for selection unless there is a further legal or administrative breakthrough.

His absence is expected to be a significant setback for Ghana’s World Cup campaign, given his experience and importance to the national team setup.

The Black Stars begin their tournament against Panama on June 17.