Overview
- A Canadian federal court in Ottawa rejected Ghana’s bid for an interim injunction on Tuesday, so Thomas Partey cannot travel to Toronto for Ghana’s opening match.
- Canadian authorities refused Partey entry because of multiple pending rape and sexual‑assault charges in London, and Canadian immigration rules permit denial of entry before any criminal conviction.
- Partey has pleaded not guilty in London and says he is innocent; his trials are not expected to take place before 2027.
- Ghana filed a formal diplomatic protest and brought the court case after the visa denial, and the team says Partey will remain with the squad in the United States and is expected to be available for Ghana’s group games hosted there.
- The dispute underscores that host nations control tournament entry under domestic law and could affect Ghana’s public image, team cohesion, and how other host countries handle players with pending criminal cases.