Ghana Challenges Canada's Visa Denial for Thomas Partey

Ghana’s World Cup plans have been dragged into a courtroom battle after the country’s government formally challenged Canada’s decision to deny Thomas Partey a visa.

The 33-year-old midfielder has been ruled out of Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after being refused entry to Canada, a ruling that has triggered an urgent legal and diplomatic push from Accra.

High-stakes hearing in Ottawa

The case will be heard in Ottawa at 14:00 BST (09:00 Eastern Time), where Ghana is asking a court to review the refusal and grant Partey permission to enter Canada on a short-term basis so he can play in the match.

At the heart of the visa dispute are ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, linked to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year.

Canadian authorities have blocked his entry while those proceedings remain active. Ghana have hit back.

The government has branded the decision “high-handed and extremely unfair” and is pushing for a narrow exemption that would allow Partey to travel solely for national-team duty.

Legal fight and diplomatic push

In its filing, Ghana is not only seeking temporary clearance for Partey to enter Canada but also asking the court to order immigration officials to let him submit a fresh visa application.

Behind the scenes, the political machine is turning as well. Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed the country is exploring diplomatic channels in parallel, attempting to secure a breakthrough for the former Arsenal midfielder outside the courtroom.

For now, Ghana must prepare for their World Cup opener without one of their most experienced players, while a legal clock ticks in Ottawa and a trial looms in the UK. How much of their tournament unfolds under this shadow remains to be seen.