Ghana Threatens Legal Action Against Canada Over Partey Visa Denial for WC26
Published June 13, 2026
Ghana's government is reportedly preparing to take legal action against Canada after midfielder Thomas Partey was denied a visa to enter the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sparking a diplomatic protest.
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The Ghanaian government has announced its intention to pursue legal action against Canada following the denial of a visa to national team star Thomas Partey, preventing his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder, a key player for the Black Stars, was reportedly blocked from entering Canada ahead of his team's opening fixture against Panama at BMO Field, a decision that has drawn a strong rebuke from Ghana's Foreign Ministry.
This incident marks the second reported visa-related controversy to impact the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Previously, a Somali referee, Omar Artan, was reportedly denied entry into the United States for the FIFA World Cup. The current situation with Partey, however, carries additional complexities due to charges filed against the player.
Partey was charged by the Metropolitan Police in July 2025 with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to stand trial in November or later, according to reports from the Associated Press. Despite these legal proceedings, Ghana's Foreign Ministry issued a robust statement, expressing "strong reservations" and characterizing Canada's decision as "high-handed and extremely unfair" regarding the temporary residence application for their national team member.