BY Issah Olegor
The preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a significant setback after Canadian authorities defended their decision to deny Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey entry into the country ahead of the team’s opening Group L fixture against Panama.
The decision has sparked widespread debate among football fans, legal observers and immigration experts, with many questioning the impact of legal issues away from the football pitch on a player’s participation at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Lena Diab, has maintained that the country’s immigration laws apply equally to everyone, regardless of the stature of the individual involved or the magnitude of the event being hosted.
The controversy centers on the 32-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, who is currently awaiting trial in London after pleading not guilty to multiple counts of rape.
While Partey has not been convicted of any crime and continues to deny all allegations against him, Canadian immigration authorities have exercised their discretion to deny him a visa for the Black Stars’ opening World Cup match against Panama scheduled for June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto.
In a statement released through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Diab stressed that the country’s commitment to hosting a successful FIFA World Cup does not override existing immigration regulations.
“Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians,” she stated.
She further emphasized that hosting international sporting events does not create exemptions within Canada’s immigration framework.
“Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws. Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” the statement added.
The ruling means Partey will miss the crucial opening encounter against Panama, a match many analysts consider vital to the Black Stars’ hopes of progressing from a challenging Group L that also includes England and Croatia.
The development is particularly significant given Partey’s status as one of Ghana’s most experienced players. Since making his debut for the Black Stars in 2016, the former Arsenal midfielder has become a central figure in Ghana’s midfield, representing the nation at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and World Cups.
His experience was expected to play a key role as Ghana seeks to improve on recent international performances and advance beyond the group stage for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the Black Stars famously reached the quarter-finals.
Despite the disappointment, there is some relief for the technical team and supporters. Because the remaining group matches will be played in the United States, Partey is still expected to be available for selection against England on June 23 in Boston and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia, subject to meeting U.S. entry requirements.
The visa controversy comes at a sensitive time for Ghanaian football. The Black Stars have spent months preparing for the tournament through a series of international friendlies, squad-building exercises and fundraising campaigns aimed at supporting the team’s participation in the expanded 48-team World Cup.
