Ghana condems decision of Thomas Partey visa ban 2026 World Cup

Ghana government protests Canada decision as Thomas Partey misses World Cup opener

The Ghanaian government has strongly criticised Canada’s decision to deny entry to midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the Black Stars’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the move as “high-handed and extremely unfair”.

Partey, who recently joined Spanish club Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, was refused a Canadian visa and will therefore miss Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. The 32-year-old footballer has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault in the United Kingdom. The allegations involve four women and relate to incidents said to have taken place between 2020 and 2022. Partey is expected to stand trial next year. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Ghana’s government said the midfielder has not been convicted of any crime and should therefore not face restrictions based solely on allegations.

In a statement issued by Ghanaian authorities, officials confirmed they are pursuing diplomatic discussions with Canadian authorities in hopes of reversing the decision before the latter stages of the tournament.

“The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction,” the statement said.

“The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice.”

Ghana seeks diplomatic solution

The dispute has added an unexpected political dimension to Ghana’s World Cup preparations, with officials in Accra insisting the decision undermines international legal standards.

Government representatives said they would “explore and pursue all available remedies” to ensure what they described as “full and fair consideration of all factual issues”. Canadian immigration rules state that individuals who have committed or been convicted of criminal offences may be denied entry into the country. Information published on the Canadian government website notes: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”

At this stage, Canadian officials have not publicly commented in detail on Partey’s individual case. The Ghana Football Association has also not issued an official statement regarding the visa refusal.

Partey remains with squad in United States

Although unable to travel to Canada, Partey has remained with the Ghana squad at their training base in Boston in the United States. A US Customs and Border Protection official confirmed that American authorities were aware of the ongoing legal case involving the player but permitted him entry because he has not been convicted.

“The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey,” the official said.

“However, at this time he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.”

The situation means Partey could still feature later in the tournament if Ghana progress beyond the group stage and play fixtures outside Canada. Ghana are scheduled to face England in Foxborough on 23 June before taking on Croatia on 27 June, with both matches set to take place in the United States.

Carlos Queiroz backed Partey selection

Before the World Cup began, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz defended his decision to include Partey in the squad despite the ongoing legal proceedings. The experienced midfielder has remained an influential figure for Ghana’s national team over the past decade and is viewed as one of the country’s most important players. Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and spent five seasons with the Premier League side before leaving at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He completed a move to Villarreal earlier this year.

His absence from Ghana’s opening fixture could prove significant as the Black Stars seek a strong start in Group L. Football analysts say the midfielder’s experience and defensive presence have often been central to Ghana’s performances in major tournaments.

World Cup impact and wider reaction

The decision has sparked debate among football fans and legal commentators over how countries handle visa applications involving individuals facing criminal proceedings but not yet convicted. Supporters of Ghana’s position argue that denying Partey entry undermines the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty, while others believe countries have the right to make immigration decisions based on public interest considerations.

The controversy is likely to remain in focus throughout Ghana’s World Cup campaign, particularly if the team progresses to stages that may require travel back into Canada. Under tournament scheduling, Ghana could return to Canada in the Round of 32 should they finish as runners-up in Group L.

For now, however, Partey’s immediate future at the tournament remains uncertain as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.