The Ghanaian government has formally lodged a diplomatic protest with Canada following its decision to deny a World Cup visa to Thomas Partey.
- +Ghana files formal protest over Canada’s World Cup visa ban on Thomas Partey
In a statement posted on social media by Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana described Canada’s decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” arguing that Partey remains a key member of the Black Stars and has not been convicted of any offence.
In a statement posted on social media by Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana described Canada’s decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” arguing that Partey remains a key member of the Black Stars and has not been convicted of any offence.
“Ghana has dispatched an official note of protest” to the Canadian government, the statement said, adding that the diplomatic communication requested Ottawa to “review its unfortunate decision.”
Partey is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, but has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022.
A trial has been scheduled for next year, meaning the midfielder remains free to continue his football career and represent Ghana at the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
However, FIFA has confirmed that Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base in Boston to Canada for the Black Stars’ opening Group L match against Panama in Toronto on June 17.
“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” the Ghanaian government said.
Although barred from entering Canada, Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s subsequent Group L matches against England and Croatia, both of which will be played in the United States.
The situation could become more complicated should Ghana advance to the knockout rounds and be required to play matches in Canada.
The Ghanaian government said it would explore all available diplomatic and legal remedies under Canadian and international law to ensure what it described as a “fair consideration” of the player’s case.
It also urged Canadian authorities to rescind the decision “in the interest of fairness and cardinal principles of common law.”
Officials stressed that the safety and security of Canadian citizens remain a top priority and that immigration regulations are applied uniformly.
Canada’s immigration service said its officials enforce the rules “consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.”
Meanwhile, United States authorities confirmed they were aware of the pending court proceedings involving Partey but noted that he had not been convicted of any crime.
“He has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa,” US officials said.
The visa dispute has become one of the first major controversies of the 2026 World Cup, raising questions about immigration policies, legal due process and player eligibility at a tournament being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
