Ghana tries to reverse Canada's decision, which denied visa to Thomas Partey

After Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada to play in the opening World Cup match against Panama next week, diplomats from his country are trying to intervene.

The Canadian government denied the visa application of Partey, 32, who is awaiting trial in England on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. The former Arsenal star has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ghana's debut in Group L will be on Wednesday (17), against Panama, in Toronto.

"The Government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, the cornerstone of justice and due process in democratic societies", reads a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, published on Saturday, day X.

"While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that the use of unproven accusations, in the absence of a judicial decision, raises fundamental questions of justice and proportionality."

"Accordingly, Ghana is seeking to establish an active diplomatic dialogue with the competent Canadian authorities on this issue."

The United States had already allowed Partey into its territory when the Ghana national team set up its World Cup training center in Providence, Rhode Island.

Presumably, Partey would join the squad for the second and third group stage games, against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 23, and against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Partey, who currently plays for Spain's Villarreal, has scored 16 goals in 58 games for the Ghana national team, including three goals during the 2026 World Cup qualification process.

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Source: CNN