Ghana Condemns Visa Denial of Thomas Partey Ahead of World Cup Opener
By TUW
The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the decision by Canadian authorities to deny a visa to national team midfielder Thomas Partey, a move that has ruled him out of the Black Stars’ opening World Cup fixture against Panama in 18 July 2026 in Canada.
In an official response, Ghana described the ruling as “unfair and regrettable,” arguing that it undermines sporting fairness and places unnecessary obstacles in the path of national team preparations. The government has since escalated the matter through a formal diplomatic protest to Canadian officials.
Authorities in Accra also confirmed that they are reviewing possible legal and diplomatic measures to challenge the decision, stressing that the player has not been convicted of any offence despite references to ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Ghanaian officials maintain that the exclusion of a key player on such grounds raises serious questions about consistency and fairness in visa adjudication for international sporting events. They further warn that such decisions could negatively impact team integrity and competitive balance at the tournament.
The incident has intensified broader concerns over travel and administrative procedures affecting teams at the World Cup, particularly with multiple host nations applying differing immigration policies.
