Ghana Midfielder Thomas Partey Denied Entry To Canada For World Cup Match

The Canadian Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, upholding the government's decision to deny him entry into the country. Partey, 33, was seeking to join his national team for their upcoming Group L opening match against Panama in Toronto, but immigration officials maintained that his entry was inadmissible under Canadian regulations.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that the denial is based on existing Canadian law, which allows for foreign nationals to be deemed inadmissible if there are reasonable grounds to believe they have committed an act triggering such a status, even in the absence of a foreign conviction. The decision comes as Partey currently faces ongoing rape and sexual assault allegations in the United Kingdom, charges which he has formally denied.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed that the team has moved forward with their tactical preparations regardless of Partey’s absence. While the decision has sparked frustration among fans in Ghana and the diaspora in Canada, the team is set to face Panama as planned. The ruling from Judge Roger Lafreniere effectively ends the legal challenge, as the player's legal counsel indicated they would not pursue further appeals regarding this specific immigration ruling.