Reports circulating on social media claiming that Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted a visa to enter Canada following an Ottawa court ruling are false, as legal proceedings on the matter are still ongoing.
Contrary to the viral claims, the Ottawa court is yet to deliver a decision on Partey’s legal challenge against the earlier visa denial. The hearing into the matter is only just beginning today, meaning no ruling has been issued at this stage.
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana’s intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a visa for the player have yet to yield results, leaving the midfielder unable to travel ahead of the Black Stars’ opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The development comes as a fresh twist in the ongoing situation, with Partey’s legal bid offering a glimmer of hope that a last-minute breakthrough could still be possible.
Despite assurances from Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that “all diplomatic channels” were being explored, sources indicate that the situation remains unresolved on the eve of Ghana’s crucial Group L clash against Panama on Wednesday.
A close source in Canada who spoke with blogger and Journalist Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah, has revealed that Ghanaian authorities are unlikely to receive a definitive response from Canadian officials regarding the visa application until after the team’s opening match — a timeline that could render any decision largely irrelevant to the squad’s immediate needs.
Partey’s visa application was rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where the player faces multiple rape charges. He has pleaded not guilty and has not been convicted of any offence.
Ghana has formally protested the decision, describing it as “high-handed” and “extremely unfair,” while arguing that it undermines the principle of presumption of innocence.
Mr Ablakwa, speaking earlier in Accra, reiterated that the government remains committed to pursuing every available option, including diplomatic engagement and legal avenues, to resolve the impasse.
The Black Stars squad has already arrived in Toronto and begun final preparations for their World Cup opener, even as uncertainty continues to surround one of their key players.
With kickoff fast approaching, concerns are mounting within the Ghana camp over the sporting implications of Partey’s absence. The Arsenal midfielder is widely regarded as central to the team, and his unavailability is seen as a significant setback.
Ghana is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign against Panama in Canada on Wednesday, but without clarity on Partey’s situation, the team may be forced to proceed without one of its most experienced players.
While discussions between Ghanaian officials and Canadian authorities are ongoing — alongside the court proceedings in Ottawa — the expected delay in a final decision has raised doubts about whether any resolution will come in time to impact the opening fixture.
For now, Ghana’s diplomatic push continues, but with time running out, hopes of securing Partey’s participation in the first match appear increasingly slim.
