Ghana has started diplomatic efforts to try to reverse Canada’s decision to deny Thomas Partey entry for the Black Stars’ opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams confirmed that the government is working to get the decision reviewed.
Partey is expected to miss Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama in Toronto on June 17 after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application. FIFA has confirmed that the midfielder cannot travel from Ghana’s team base in Rhode Island to Canada and explained that immigration decisions are made only by host governments.
Canadian authorities have not officially explained why the visa was refused. However, Partey is currently facing multiple rape charges in the United Kingdom, all of which he has denied through his lawyers. The legal case is still ongoing.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Adams said the government had begun diplomatic action under the instructions of President John Dramani Mahama.
“As has been indicated by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and the mandate through his Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, that any Ghanaian touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it,” Adams said.
“Through the appropriate channels, we have communicated to the rightful authorities and are requesting them to review the decision that we think frowns on international law and conventions for which both Canada and Ghana are a party. So we have taken it at that level, and I hope and pray that they do what they must do, and do it right.”
“We got a decision that he had been denied entry to Canada on very flimsy reasons. I say flimsy because the person had already been charged. He has not been found guilty.”
Adams also questioned why Canada had taken a different position when Partey has continued to travel internationally, including being allowed into the United States for the World Cup.
“One is therefore surprised that Canada, which is so far away, will now apply rules to the extent that where somebody has just been merely charged, that person has been deemed guilty.”
Partey is still available for Ghana’s remaining Group L matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.
Both matches will be played in the United States after the US Customs and Border Protection agency confirmed that it was aware of Partey’s ongoing legal case but still allowed him to enter the country.
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