Ottawa court to hear appeal on Thomas Partey’s denied entry to Canada for World Cup
Ghana midfielder's visa was rejected over pending UK criminal charges, leaving the team without a key player for their World Cup opener against Panama
Thomas Partey, Ghana’s star midfielder, will have his day in an Ottawa federal court on June 16 after Canadian immigration authorities denied him entry to the country. The timing is not subtle. Ghana’s opening World Cup match against Panama kicks off the very next day at BMO Field in Toronto.
Partey, who has earned over 40 caps for the Black Stars, was refused a visa due to pending criminal charges in the United Kingdom, where he faces allegations of rape and sexual assault. He denies the charges. But Canadian immigration law doesn’t care about denial or presumption of innocence in the same way a criminal court does. Individuals facing serious criminal charges abroad can be deemed inadmissible, full stop.
A one-day window to overturn the decision
The appeal hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2026, giving the court exactly one day to rule before Ghana takes the pitch against Panama on June 17. FIFA has confirmed the visa refusal, pointing to Canadian immigration rules as the basis for the decision.
For Ghana, this isn’t just an administrative headache. It’s a competitive one. Partey, currently with Villarreal after a stint at Arsenal, is one of the most experienced and technically gifted players on the roster.
Ghana’s government fires back
The Ghanaian government has not taken the news quietly. Officials described the Canadian decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” calling for a review of the immigration ruling.
The charges against Partey remain pending, meaning he hasn’t been convicted of anything. But immigration law operates under a different standard than criminal law. Countries retain broad discretion to refuse entry to individuals they deem a risk, and pending serious criminal charges make that calculus straightforward for Canadian border officials.
What this means for Ghana and the broader tournament
Ghana’s coaching staff has to prepare two game plans: one with Partey, one without. If the Ottawa court rules in Partey’s favor on June 16, the logistical scramble to get him from Ottawa to Toronto and match-ready within 24 hours would be intense but manageable. If the court upholds the denial, Ghana enters the tournament without him.