A Canadian federal court has affirmed a prior decision denying entry to Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, effectively excluding him from his country’s opening fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, dismissed an appeal filed by the midfielder’s legal representatives seeking to overturn the visa refusal. As a result, Partey will be unavailable for Ghana’s Group L clash against Panama.
The 33-year-old was unable to travel with the national team to Toronto following the initial denial of entry by Canadian authorities.
The decision is linked to ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where Partey faces multiple criminal charges, including allegations of rape and sexual assault involving several complainants between 2020 and 2022. He has denied all accusations, and the matter is scheduled for trial later this year.
The court’s verdict represents a significant setback for Ghana’s preparations, with the absence of one of their most experienced midfielders coming on the eve of a crucial opening match.
