Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Panama after a Canadian court rejected his appeal against a visa refusal, leaving his tournament participation in doubt.
FIFA World Cup: Partey set to miss Ghana's opening game due to visa trouble/ Credit: FIFA
Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, with midfielder Thomas Partey set to miss their Group L opener against Panama after a Canadian court dismissed his appeal against a visa refusal.
The ruling means the former Arsenal midfielder remains unable to travel to Canada for Ghana’s opening fixture, casting fresh uncertainty over his availability for the remainder of the tournament.
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Judge Roger R. Lafreniere declined to fast-track the case or order immigration authorities to reconsider their decision before Ghana’s World Cup matches.
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According to the ruling, Partey failed to demonstrate a “serious issue” with the original visa refusal and did not satisfy the legal requirements necessary for extraordinary judicial relief.
The judge also noted that Partey had been informed of concerns related to multiple rape and sexual assault charges he faces in the United Kingdom but had not adequately addressed those concerns during the visa application process.
The decision leaves Partey unable to enter Canada for now, with his chances of featuring later in the tournament dependent on whether immigration authorities grant reconsideration or approve a temporary resident permit.
The Canadian government denied Partey’s visa application last week, prompting his legal team to file an urgent appeal with the Federal Court in Ottawa in an attempt to overturn the decision before Ghana’s opening match.
FIFA had already confirmed that the midfielder would be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base in Boston to Canada for the clash against Panama following the visa refusal.
Despite the setback, Partey continues to train with the Ghana squad in the United States and remains available for matches staged on American soil.
After facing Panama, Ghana will take on England in the Boston area before meeting Croatia in Philadelphia in their remaining Group L fixtures.
Partey’s case is the latest in a series of visa-related complications during the tournament.
Several World Cup participants have encountered travel difficulties, including Somali referee Omar Artan, Iraq internationals Aymen Hussein and Talal Salah, Haiti defender Woodensky Pierre, and Switzerland forward Breel Embolo.
Ghana open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 before crucial group-stage encounters against England and Croatia.
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