Court Rejects Thomas Partey Appeal Ahead of World Cup Opener Against Panama
Ghana’s hopes of having Thomas Partey available for their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after a Canadian court dismissed the midfielder’s emergency appeal against a visa refusal.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday in Ottawa, confirms that the Black Stars deputy captain will be unavailable for Wednesday’s Group L clash against Panama in Toronto, depriving Ghana of one of its most experienced and influential players at a crucial stage of the tournament.
Partey had sought legal intervention after Canadian immigration authorities denied his Temporary Resident Visa application, citing ongoing criminal proceedings against him in the United Kingdom. The midfielder’s legal representatives argued that preventing him from entering Canada would have significant consequences for both his professional reputation and Ghana’s World Cup ambitions.
During proceedings, lawyers representing the Canadian government maintained that immigration laws must be applied consistently regardless of an individual’s profile or profession. They argued that authorities are not required to wait for a criminal conviction before determining admissibility and insisted that footballers should not receive preferential treatment.
Government lawyers further contended that relevant information connected to the case had not been fully disclosed during the visa application process. They also challenged suggestions that the decision would cause irreparable sporting damage, arguing there was no guarantee Partey would feature in Ghana’s starting lineup against Panama.
Partey’s legal team pointed to previous instances where entertainers and public figures facing legal or immigration challenges had been granted Temporary Resident Permits. They urged the court to consider the exceptional circumstances surrounding the World Cup and the potential impact on Ghana’s campaign.
However, the judge ultimately sided with Canadian immigration authorities, bringing an end to efforts to secure the midfielder’s participation in the tournament opener.
The development comes despite diplomatic efforts from the Government of Ghana. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had engaged Canadian officials in an attempt to resolve the matter before the start of the competition.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women in the United Kingdom, with trial proceedings scheduled for 2027.
While the decision rules him out of the Panama encounter and any other matches scheduled in Canada, the midfielder remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s remaining Group L fixtures against England and Croatia in the United States, where he has already been granted entry.
The Black Stars will now turn their attention to Panama as they seek a positive start to their World Cup campaign without one of their key midfield figures.
