A Canadian Federal Court has upheld the decision to deny Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey entry into Canada — meaning he will not make any appearances in the country during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Canadian Federal Court has upheld the decision to deny Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey entry into Canada — meaning he will not make any app
The ruling was confirmed by sports journalist Gary Al-Smith.
Ghana's government had formally appealed the original visa denial through the Federal Court, with the hearing scheduled for 1:00pm GMT on Tu
A Canadian Federal Court has upheld the decision to deny Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey entry into Canada — meaning he will not make any appearances in the country during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ruling was confirmed by sports journalist Gary Al-Smith. Ghana's government had formally appealed the original visa denial through the Federal Court, with the hearing scheduled for 1:00pm GMT on Tuesday June 16 — one day before Ghana's opener against Panama in Toronto. The court rejected the appeal. Partey, 33, was deemed inadmissible under Canadian immigration law due to ongoing rape and sexual assault charges he faces in the United Kingdom — charges he has pleaded not guilty to. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticised the original visa denial as a high-handed and extremely unfair decision — arguing that relying on unproven charges before a judicial determination raises serious questions of fairness and proportionality. Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Diab responded saying hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws and that every person seeking entry is assessed individually. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz had selected Partey citing the presumption of innocence. Partey will remain at Ghana's base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island and will still be eligible to play against England in Massachusetts on June 23 and against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
A Canadian Federal Court has upheld the decision to deny Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey entry into Canada — meaning he will not make any appearances in the country during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ruling was confirmed by sports journalist Gary Al-Smith. Ghana's government had formally appealed the original visa denial through the Federal Court, with the hearing scheduled for 1:00pm GMT on Tuesday June 16 — one day before Ghana's opener against Panama in Toronto. The court rejected the appeal. Partey, 33, was deemed inadmissible under Canadian immigration law due to ongoing rape and sexual assault charges he faces in the United Kingdom — charges he has pleaded not guilty to. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticised the original visa denial as a high-handed and extremely unfair decision — arguing that relying on unproven charges before a judicial determination raises serious questions of fairness and proportionality. Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Diab responded saying hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws and that every person seeking entry is assessed individually. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz had selected Partey citing the presumption of innocence. Partey will remain at Ghana's base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island and will still be eligible to play against England in Massachusetts on June 23 and against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.