Ghana’s government is contesting Canada’s refusal to grant midfielder Thomas Partey a visa, aiming to secure his participation in the FIFA World Cup. Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto due to Canadian authorities denying him entry over ongoing legal issues in the UK. A court hearing is scheduled in Ottawa to address Ghana’s plea for Partey’s temporary entry and a chance to reapply for a visa.
The hearing, set for 6:30 PM (IST) in Ottawa, comes as Ghana seeks to allow the 33-year-old midfielder to play in the Group L fixture. Ghana is also exploring diplomatic channels to facilitate Partey’s Canadian visa. The duration of the court proceedings remains uncertain at this point.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed efforts to secure a Canadian visa for Partey through diplomatic means. The country had previously criticized Canada’s decision as unjust and lodged a formal protest while urging a review of the ruling. Canada’s denial was reportedly based on ongoing legal matters involving Partey in the UK.
While acknowledging Canada’s immigration laws, Ghana raised concerns about fairness and proportionality in denying entry based on unadjudicated charges. FIFA confirmed that Partey cannot travel from Ghana’s base in Boston to Canada for the opening match against Panama following the visa denial. However, Partey remains part of Ghana’s squad in the US and is eligible for the team’s upcoming group-stage games against England and Croatia.
The visa issue faced by Partey is among several entry-related challenges affecting participants at the FIFA World Cup. Referee Omar Artan from Somalia, Iraqi players Aymen Hussein and Talal Salah, Haiti’s Woodensky Pierre, and Switzerland’s Breel Embolo have also encountered visa problems related to World Cup travel arrangements.
