The Government of Ghana has formally protested Canada’s decision to deny Black Stars midfielder Thomas Teye Partey entry into the country for Ghana’s opening Group Stage match against Panama at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision, which prevents the player from travelling from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, United States, to Canada for Wednesday’s fixture, has sparked diplomatic engagements between Accra and Ottawa, with Ghana describing the move as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”

In a statement issued yesterday, the Government said Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based its decision on inadmissibility provisions under paragraph A36(1)(c) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), citing pending criminal proceedings involving the player in the United Kingdom.

According to the Government, the proceedings have not resulted in any conviction or judicial determination of guilt.

“The Government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice and due process in democratic societies,” the statement noted.

While acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, the Government argued that reliance on unresolved legal proceedings “raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality.”

As part of efforts to overturn the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with Canadian authorities. Government disclosed that on June 11, 2026, Ghana dispatched an official note of protest to Global Affairs Canada, requesting a review of the visa refusal.

The statement further revealed that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has held discussions with Canadian officials, including the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Myriam Montrat, since the issue emerged.

Government indicated that it is prepared to explore all available diplomatic, legal and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law, including, where necessary, seeking judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada.

Meanwhile, world football governing body FIFA confirmed that Partey would be unavailable for Ghana’s first game against Panama due to the visa refusal.

“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 said in a statement.

The organisation stressed that it plays no role in immigration decisions taken by host countries.

“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,” it added.

Despite the setback, FIFA indicated that Partey remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s subsequent Group Stage matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia, both of which will be played in the United States.

Government said it remained hopeful that Ghana’s longstanding bilateral relations with Canada and ongoing diplomatic efforts would lead to an amicable resolution of the matter.

It also urged Canadian authorities to reconsider their decision in the spirit of fairness, the rule of law and the presumption of innocence.

“May the beautiful game of football continue to live up to its reputation of uniting nations, forging lasting bonds of friendship, playing by the rules, and promoting fair play both on and off the field,” the statement concluded.

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Source: Thechronicle.com.gh