World Cup 2026: Ghana government challenges Thomas Party visa ban in court

The Ghanaian government has offered to reconsider its decision not to issue a visa to Canadian midfielder Thomas Partey, pending a court hearing.

Partey is set to miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Toronto on Wednesday. Entry into Canada is denied.

The 33-year-old’s visa case is linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.

The hearing will take place at 14:00 BST (09:00 Eastern Time) in Ottawa.

Partey has pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by four different women between 2020 and 2022 and is set to go on trial next year.

Describing the decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair”, the Ghanaian government is seeking permission for Parte to enter Canada for a short period of time to participate in the Ghana Games.

The party asked the court to order Canadian immigration authorities to submit a new visa application.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudezeto Ablakwa, said the country is exploring diplomatic channels to secure a Canadian visa for the former Arsenal player.

It is not clear how long the court process will take.