Canada’s Federal Court has upheld the decision to deny Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey entry into the country ahead of the Black Stars’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday after Partey’s legal team appealed the visa refusal that prevented the former Arsenal midfielder from travelling to Toronto with the rest of the Ghana squad.
The 33-year-old’s visa issues stem from ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK, where he faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his trial is scheduled to begin later this year.
The court’s decision means Partey remains unable to enter Canada, dealing a major blow to the Black Stars on the eve of their opening Group L fixture against Panama.
The Ghanaian government had backed Partey’s appeal, describing the visa refusal as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”
His absence leaves head coach Carlos Queiroz without one of his most experienced players for Wednesday’s clash at BMO Field. However, sources within the Ghana camp told ESPN before the ruling that a favourable decision would have had little impact on the team’s preparations given the limited time before kickoff.
“The coach already had his match-day strategy worked out. Win or lose, it would not have changed much for this game,” a source told ESPN.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Queiroz expressed a similar view.
“My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me,” he said. “We are waiting for a decision. When the decision comes, we are ready.
“We have a plan, and it includes all 26 players.”
Despite missing the opener, Partey is still expected to play a key role for the four-time African champions if he becomes eligible as they continue their World Cup campaign. Ghana’s remaining Group L fixtures are against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
The Black Stars could also return to Canada for the Round of 32 if they qualify as runners-up in their group.
