Overview
- FIFA confirmed that Canada rejected Thomas Partey’s temporary entry visa, which stops him from travelling from Ghana’s U.S. training base to Toronto for the team’s opening World Cup match.
- Ghana’s foreign ministry lodged an official protest on June 11 asking Canada to review the refusal and argued the decision raises fairness concerns because Partey has not been convicted.
- U.S. authorities granted Partey entry to the United States, so he remains with Ghana’s squad and can play the team’s group matches that are hosted on U.S. soil.
- Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges brought by British prosecutors for alleged incidents between 2020 and 2022, and his London court case is ongoing with hearings scheduled through 2026 and into 2027.
- The case underscores a practical tension at a multi-country World Cup: individual host nations control border and visa decisions, creating diplomatic friction and the risk that local rules will change team lineups during the tournament.