Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a Canadian Federal Court dismissed his application for judicial review of the decision denying him a visa to enter the country.
The ruling comes despite diplomatic efforts by the Government of Ghana to secure the midfielder’s entry after Canadian immigration authorities earlier refused his Temporary Resident Visa application.
Canadian authorities denied Partey’s visa on the basis of ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where the Ghana international faces multiple rape and sexual assault charges. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and the case remains before the courts.
Following the visa refusal, the Government of Ghana mounted diplomatic efforts to reverse the decision, arguing that the player had not been convicted of any offence and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa previously disclosed that the government was engaging Canadian authorities in an effort to secure Partey’s participation ahead of Ghana’s opening Group L fixture against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
Partey’s legal team subsequently filed an application for judicial review before the Federal Court in Ottawa, seeking to overturn the immigration decision. However, the court dismissed the application, effectively upholding the visa refusal.
The decision means the experienced midfielder will be unavailable for Ghana’s opening World Cup fixture unless there is an unexpected legal or administrative development.
Partey’s absence is expected to be a significant setback for the Black Stars, with the 32-year-old regarded as one of the team’s most influential and experienced players.
Ghana opens its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday before facing England and Croatia in the remaining Group L matches.
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