Ghana’s bid to secure Thomas Partey’s participation in their World Cup opener has moved to the courtroom after the government launched legal action against Canada’s decision to deny the midfielder a visa.
The Black Stars are due to face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, but Partey is currently unable to enter Canada following a visa refusal linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
A court hearing has been scheduled for 14:00 BST (09:00 local time) in Ottawa, where Ghana’s government will seek a review of the decision.
The case centres on the former Arsenal midfielder, who now plays for Spanish club Villarreal. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year.
Ghanaian authorities have strongly criticised Canada’s stance, describing the visa refusal as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”
As part of the legal challenge, Ghana is seeking permission for Partey to enter Canada on a temporary basis so he can participate in the World Cup fixture against Panama.
The government has also requested that the court direct Canadian immigration authorities to allow the 33-year-old to submit a fresh visa application.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the government is pursuing both legal and diplomatic avenues in an effort to resolve the matter before the match.
The timing of any decision remains uncertain, with no indication yet of how long the proceedings could take.
Canadian officials have defended their position, insisting that hosting the World Cup does not alter the country’s immigration requirements.
“Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a statement.
“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.”
The situation has become a major distraction for Ghana ahead of the tournament.
Partey remains one of the most experienced members of Carlos Queiroz’s squad, having earned more than 50 international caps since making his debut in 2016.
Despite the controversy surrounding the midfielder, Queiroz publicly backed his inclusion before the tournament, stating that he had no concerns about selecting the player.
Should Ghana fail to overturn the visa decision before Wednesday’s match, Partey will miss the Group L opener against Panama.
The Black Stars are then scheduled to face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27, fixtures that would not require entry into Canada.
However, if Ghana progress to the knockout stages as Group L runners-up, they could find themselves returning north of the border for a last-32 match, potentially creating further complications if the visa dispute remains unresolved.
For now, all eyes are on Ottawa, where Ghana hopes a courtroom victory can keep one of its most influential players involved in its World Cup campaign.
