Ghana loses appeal to overturn Partey's Canada Visa denial for World Cup 2026

Ghana will be without Thomas Partey for its opening match at the 2026 World Cup after a Canadian federal court dismissed an appeal seeking to overturn the midfielder’s visa refusal.

The decision means Partey will not be available for Wednesday’s game against Panama in Toronto.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now with Villarreal, is currently in the United States with the Ghana squad but has been denied entry into Canada.

Canadian immigration authorities refused his temporary resident permit on June 10, the same day Ghana’s squad travelled to the United States.

The refusal followed concerns over criminal charges Partey is facing in the United Kingdom.

Partey was charged in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He pleaded not guilty in September 2025.

Two further rape charges were brought against him in February 2026, and he pleaded not guilty to those charges in April.

According to court documents cited by The Athletic, Partey’s Canadian visa application was received on May 21.

The application reportedly answered “No” to a question asking whether he had ever been charged with a criminal offence in any country.

His name appeared at the bottom of the application beneath a declaration that all answers had been given fully and truthfully.

It is not clear whether Partey personally completed the application.

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department later raised concerns that the application may involve misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The department gave him time to respond and later refused his application.

Partey and his representatives then went to the Federal Court to seek a reconsideration so he could enter Canada for Ghana’s opening World Cup fixture.

During Tuesday’s hearing, his lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, confirmed that the charges had not been disclosed in the original material before immigration officials.

She argued that Partey had been denied due process and would suffer serious prejudice if he missed the chance to represent Ghana at the tournament.

The motion said the refusal could affect his professional opportunity, reputation and ability to play for his country, especially since the allegations against him remain untested and he is presumed innocent.

The court, however, rejected the appeal.

It held that the fact Partey had not been convicted was not decisive for the immigration assessment.

Canadian authorities also maintained that hosting a major sporting event does not change the country’s immigration laws.

In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said each person seeking entry is assessed individually based on the facts available and the applicable law.

It added that the safety and security of Canadians remain a top priority.

Before the appeal was dismissed, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said he was waiting for the decision but was prepared to work with the players available.

Partey remains eligible to play Ghana’s other group matches in the United States against England and Croatia.

Those games are scheduled to be played in Boston and Philadelphia respectively.