Ghana lodges protest over Canada’s refusal of visa to World Cup player

Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey arrives at court in London on September 17, 2025. He is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, has been denied a visa to enter Canada to play in the World Cup. Photo by CARLOS JASSO /AFP via Getty Images

Article content

Ghana said Saturday it has formally lodged a protest over Canada’s refusal to issue a visa for the World Cup to player Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges.

Article content

In a statement the posted on social media by the Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana called Canada’s decision “high-handed and extremely unfair”, calling Partey, “a key member of Ghana’s senior national team.”

Article content

Article content

Article content

“Ghana has dispatched an official note of protest” to Canada, said the statement adding that the “note also requested that Canada reviews its unfortunate decision.”

Article content

Article content

The Villarreal midfielder, who previously played for Arsenal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

Article content

A trial has been set for next year, allowing the 32-year-old to represent Ghana at the World Cup, but he will not be involved in Wednesday’s match in Toronto.

Article content

“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” said the statement.

Article content

FIFA has confirmed that Partey would not be able to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, to Canada for their opening match against Panama on June 17.

Article content

The 32-year-old will be eligible to play in Ghana’s subsequent Group L games against England and Croatia, both taking place in the United States.
But the African team may return to Canada if they reach the knockout stages.

Article content

Article content

Ghana vowed to explore all diplomatic and legal “remedies” under Canadian and international law to ensure full a “fair consideration” of the case, as it urged Ottawa to “rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and cardinal principals of common law.”

Article content

Article content

Canadian immigration said they were not able to provide details on individual cases, adding that the safety of Canadian citizens was its priority.
Canada’s immigration service said its officials apply rules “consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.”

Article content

US authorities said they were aware of the pending court case but said “he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa”.

Article content

Article content