Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will be unavailable for the Black Stars’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a Canadian court rejected his appeal against a visa refusal that has prevented him from entering the country.
The ruling follows unsuccessful diplomatic efforts by the Government of Ghana to secure the player’s entry after Canadian authorities earlier declined his application for a Temporary Resident Visa.
Canadian immigration officials denied Partey’s visa request due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where the midfielder is facing multiple rape-related charges. The player has consistently denied all allegations and has not been convicted of any offence.
In response to the initial decision, the Ghanaian government engaged Canadian authorities through diplomatic channels, maintaining that Partey should be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had previously revealed that discussions were underway to resolve the matter before Ghana’s opening Group Stage fixture against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
However, the court’s decision means the experienced midfielder remains ineligible to join the Black Stars unless a further legal or administrative intervention changes his status.
Partey’s absence is expected to be a significant blow to Ghana’s World Cup ambitions, given his influence, leadership, and experience within the national team setup.
The 33-year-old was widely expected to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s bid to progress beyond the group stage, and many supporters had hoped ongoing diplomatic efforts would pave the way for his participation in the tournament.
Ghana will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 as the Black Stars seek a positive start to their Group L journey.