Canada court rejects Thomas Partey’s appeal; Midfielder to miss World Cup opener

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup opening match against Panama after a Canadian federal court rejected his appeal against a visa denial stemming from unresolved legal issues in the UK.

The Federal Court of Canada has officially rejected an urgent legal appeal from Ghanaian officials, ruling that midfielder Thomas Partey cannot enter the country.

The high-stakes decision completely sidelines the Black Stars’ deputy captain just one day before Ghana kicks off its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama at Toronto Stadium.

Canadian immigration authorities originally denied the 33-year-old a temporary resident visa, citing ongoing, unresolved criminal proceedings against him in the United Kingdom.

While Ghana’s government heavily criticized the entry ban as arbitrary and unfair, the judicial restriction means Partey remains confined to the team’s training base in Boston, also putting future tournament fixtures on Canadian soil at risk.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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