Ghana appeal Canada's visa refusal for Thomas Partey ahead of World Cup opener against Panama

Ghana launched a federal court appeal in Canada on Tuesday after authorities refused midfielder Thomas Partey entry into the country for the team’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

Partey, who awaits trial in Britain on multiple rape charges, was blocked from crossing into Canada despite Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning the visa denial as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” The appeal was heard just one day before kick-off.

The 32-year-old faces allegations from several women dating to his time at Arsenal between 2020 and 2025. In March, his lawyer confirmed that Partey intends to plead not guilty to two additional rape charges after a woman alleged he twice raped her on the same day in December 2020. He had separately been awaiting trial on five counts of rape related to two other women and one count of sexual assault involving a further woman — charges that emerged before the latest allegations were brought.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz defended his decision to include Partey in the squad by citing the presumption of innocence, a position that has drawn scrutiny given the volume and nature of the charges.

Partey has been permitted to enter the United States, where Ghana’s base camp is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and has been able to train with the squad. That means even if the Canadian appeal fails, he remains eligible for Ghana’s remaining group-stage fixtures: against England in Massachusetts on 23 June and against Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.

Partey spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Villarreal in Spain after leaving Arsenal, where he had been one of the club’s key midfielders for five years.