The Ghana government has strongly criticized Canada for rejecting midfielder Thomas Partey's visa ahead of the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Panama in Toronto.
According to a statement from the West African nation's foreign ministry, the decision was taken based on criminal proceedings in Britain, but the government considers it unfair as Partey has already pleaded not guilty to multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Partey will miss the team's opening match but will be able to feature in the next two Group L matches against England and Croatia.
Ghana's government expressed strong reservations over the decision, stating that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises questions of fairness and proportionality.
FIFA has confirmed that Partey will be unable to travel to Canada for the match due to the visa refusal, and the football body is not involved in the immigration process.
