Ablakwa hold talks with Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana over Partey's visa denial
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana has lodged a formal protest with the Canadian authorities over the refusal of a visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey for Ghana's World Cup opener with Panama in Toronto on June 17, 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the ministry said it was prepared to seek judicial review before Canada’s Federal Court if efforts to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels fail.
Related article: CONFIRMED: Thomas Partey denied access to Canada and not available for Ghana's opening game at the World Cup
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country," FIFA said in a statement issued on Friday [June 12].
On the Canadian government website, the rules around visiting the country state: "If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada."
It means under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, anyone charged with an offence that would be a crime in Canada can be found “inadmissible,” and it does not necessarily mean wait for a conviction first.
“Charged” vs “Convicted”
Canada looks at the charge itself, considering the alleged crime is serious in the form of assault, fraud or drug trafficking. Immigration officers can therefore decide that the applicant pose a risk and can block entry.
Why was Thomas Partey denied a visa?
Thomas Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police in July 2025.
In September 2025, the Ghana vice-captain pleaded not guilty. In April 2026, he was charged with two fresh counts of sexual assault, to which he has also pleaded not guilty.
Thomas Partey is one of the best holding midfielders in Africa. He is known mainly for his stints at Atletico Madrid (2013-20) and Arsenal (2020-25). He currently plays for La Liga giants Villarreal.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
Foreign Affairs statement
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Ministry of Affairs said Ghana had submitted an official note of protest to Global Affairs Canada on June 11, 2026, requesting a review of the decision.
It said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held discussions with the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, on the matter.
The ministry said it would pursue all available diplomatic, legal and administrative avenues under Canadian and international law, including judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada where necessary, to secure what it described as “full and fair consideration of all relevant legal and factual issues in accordance with due process”.
According to the statement, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) refused Partey’s temporary residence application on grounds of inadmissibility under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The ministry said the decision was based on ongoing criminal proceedings involving Partey in the United Kingdom. The 32-year-old, who plays for Spanish club Villarreal, faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women over alleged incidents said to have occurred between 2020 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
His trial, initially scheduled for November 2026, has been postponed and is now due to commence on June 8, 2027.
The ministry said Ghana was not challenging Canada’s right to enforce its immigration laws, but objected to the reliance on charges that had not been proven in court in arriving at the inadmissibility decision.
It argued that basing such a decision on allegations that had not resulted in a judicial finding of guilt ran contrary to the principle of the presumption of innocence.
The statement added that relying on unproven charges without a judicial determination raised, in its words, “fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality”.
Canada has maintained its position on the matter. The IRCC said every person seeking entry into the country was assessed individually on the basis of the facts available and the applicable law.
It added that hosting an international event such as the FIFA World Cup did not alter Canada’s immigration laws.
The ministry said that should Canada decline to reconsider the matter through diplomatic channels, Ghana reserved the right to seek judicial review before Canada’s Federal Court.
It expressed hope that “diplomatic rapprochement within the context of our historically cordial and friendly traditions would lead to an amicable resolution in a timely manner.”
Attached below is a copy of the full statement
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