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.
