Ghana’s government has launched a diplomatic protest after Canada refused a visa to midfielder Thomas Partey, forcing him to miss the country’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
The foreign ministry in Accra described the decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair”, saying it was based on pending criminal proceedings in Britain that have not resulted in any conviction. Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four women between 2020 and 2022.
“Ghana accuses Canada of 'high-handed' visa ban on Thomas Partey for World Cup opener.”
“The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it was pursuing “active diplomatic engagements” with Canadian officials and had sent an official note of protest requesting a review of the visa denial.
Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder who joined Villarreal in August after being released at the end of the 2024-25 season, remains with the Ghana squad at their training base in Boston. He will be eligible to play in the team’s subsequent Group L matches against England on 23 June in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and against Croatia on 27 June in Philadelphia.
A US Customs and Border Protection official confirmed Partey had been admitted to the United States after being issued a visa, noting: “At this time he has not been convicted of a crime.”
Canada’s immigration, refugees and citizenship department defended the decision, with a spokesperson saying on Friday that hosting major events “does not change immigration laws” and that “every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies”. Canadian government rules state that those who have “committed or been convicted of a crime” may not be allowed into the country.
Fifa said it was not involved in the immigration processes of host nations. The visa controversy is the latest to hit the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico. The US this week refused entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been due to officiate at the tournament.
Ghana could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L, but for now Partey’s absence from the Panama match has left the government in Accra pressing for a reversal. “We will explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair consideration of all factual issues,” the ministry said.