Ghana’s FIFA World Cup campaign has suffered a massive blow on the eve of its opening match after a Canadian Federal Court dismissed a last-minute emergency appeal filed by midfielder Thomas Partey. The ruling firmly upholds the Canadian government’s decision to deny the veteran player entry into the country. This means the 32-year-old Villarreal star is officially barred from traveling to Toronto for the Black Stars’ crucial Group L opener against Panama at BMO Field.
The legal showdown escalated after Canada’s Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) initially rejected Partey’s visa application, citing ongoing criminal proceedings against him in the United Kingdom. The midfielder faces multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault stemming from his time playing for English club Arsenal—charges he has vehemently denied and pleaded not guilty to ahead of a scheduled trial later this year.
During the emergency federal hearing in Ottawa, Partey’s legal team argued that Canada, as a co-host nation, had a “public interest” to ensure the seamless participation of accredited athletes. In an affidavit, Partey pleaded his case, stating: “I have not been convicted of any offense. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent.” However, Justice Roger Lafrenière rejected the application. He ruled that hosting a major sporting event does not exempt individuals from the nation’s strict border laws, which allow authorities to deem foreign nationals inadmissible if there are reasonable grounds to believe an offense has been committed, regardless of a formal conviction.
Despite the setback, Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, remained unfazed and focused on the task at hand. “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me,” Queiroz told reporters, indicating that his match strategy had already accounted for the star’s potential absence.
While the entry ban completely sidelines Partey for the match on Canadian soil, the midfielder will remain with the Ghanaian contingent at their training basecamp in Rhode Island, USA. Since his American visa remains fully valid, Partey is expected to rejoin the squad and look to make an impact on the pitch for Ghana’s subsequent Group L fixtures against England and Croatia, both of which are scheduled to take place stateside.
