Ghana protests Canadian visa denial for World Cup player Thomas Partey

Ghana has protested Canada’s decision to deny entry to one of its football players ahead of their World Cup first game against Panama.

The Ghanian government said it “expresses strong reservations following the high-handed and extremely unfair decision by Canada to refuse a temporary residence application for Mr Thomas Teye Partey.”

Partey is currently awaiting trial in London on multiple charges of rape dating to his time with Arsenal from 2020-25. He is due to go on trial in November.

Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty.

Partey is currently with his team at Ghana’s base camp in Rhode Island in the US, but he will not be allowed to play in his team’s first game against Panama on June 17, which is being hosted in Canada.

The 2026 World Cup is split between Canada, the US and Mexico.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a statement that every person wanting to come to Canada is assessed individually “based on the facts available and the law that applies.”

“Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians,” the IRCC said in the statement. “Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws.”

He will be able to play June 23 when Ghana plays England in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Ghana concludes group play June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.