By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Canada, 17 June 2026 - Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a Canadian federal court dismissed his appeal against a visa refusal, preventing him from entering the country for Ghana's clash against Panama in Toronto.
The decision was confirmed on Tuesday after an emergency appeal was heard by the Federal Court in Ottawa. Partey's legal team had sought to overturn a previous decision by Canadian immigration authorities that denied him entry into the country. However, the court ruled against the application, meaning the midfielder will not be available for Ghana's first Group L fixture.
Canadian authorities initially refused Partey's visa application last week. According to court documents and multiple media reports, the decision was linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom. Partey is currently facing seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in the UK. He has consistently denied all allegations and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. No conviction has been recorded, and a trial is expected at a later date.
During the appeal process, Partey's lawyers argued that he should be allowed temporary entry into Canada to participate in the World Cup. They reportedly proposed conditions that would ensure his departure after the match and emphasized that he has not been convicted of any crime. Nevertheless, the court concluded that there were insufficient grounds to overturn the immigration decision.
Reports also indicate that Canadian immigration officials considered information provided in Partey's visa application. Some court filings suggested discrepancies regarding whether he disclosed the criminal charges he is currently facing in the United Kingdom. Canadian authorities maintained that their decision was made in accordance with existing immigration laws and that hosting the FIFA World Cup does not alter those rules.
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FIFA has stressed that it does not control immigration decisions made by host nations. The governing body stated that visa approvals and entry permissions remain the responsibility of the respective governments hosting tournament matches.
The ruling is a significant setback for Ghana, as Partey remains one of the team's most experienced players. However, because Ghana's remaining group-stage matches against England in Massachusetts and Croatia in Pennsylvania are scheduled to be played in the United States, he remains eligible to participate in those fixtures after being granted entry into the U.S. earlier this month.
For now, Ghana must begin its World Cup campaign without one of its key midfielders, while Partey remains in the United States awaiting the next stage of both his football and legal proceedings.