World Cup: Ghana condemns Canada over visa denial to ex-Arsenal star Thomas Partey
By Luke Oluoch, June 13, 2026The Government of Ghana has expressed strong reservations about the refusal by the Canadian government to grant access to Black Stars skipper Thomas Partey in the country.
This is after the former Arsenal star was denied entry into Canada over what the government has described as pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom. The 32-year-old, who is celebrating his birthday on Saturday, June 13, 2026, is facing multiple sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Black Stars are due to face Panama on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Toronto, with FIFA confirming that the Villarreal midfielder cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston to Canada for the match, as the immigration decisions rest with the host government.
The player is, however, expected to be available for Ghana’s later group games against England and Croatia in the United States.
“The Government of the Republic of Ghana expresses strong reservations following the high-handed and extremely unfair decision by Canada to refuse a temporary residence application for Thomas Teye Partey, a Ghanaian national and key member of Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, which is participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” part of the statement read.
Govt response
The government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued against the decision, asserting that the decision violates the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, as it has not resulted in any conviction or judicial finding of guilt.
“We are informed that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) arrived at this outcome on grounds of inadmissibility under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The decision is understood to be that have not resulted in any conviction or judicial finding of guilt,” its statement read further.
The Government of Ghana has announced that it is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with the relevant Canadian authorities on this matter aimed at exploring and pursuing all available diplomatic, legal, and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law to ensure full and fair consideration of all relevant legal and factual issues in accordance with due process.