Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to join the Black Stars in Canada after reports indicated that an appeal against the denial of his visa has been successful, ending days of uncertainty surrounding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder had initially been denied entry into Canada, a decision that threatened to rule him out of Ghana’s opening World Cup fixture against Panama in Toronto. The Canadian authorities reportedly deemed Partey inadmissible while legal proceedings involving the player continue in the United Kingdom. Partey has consistently denied all allegations against him and has pleaded not guilty.
The visa setback sparked a strong reaction from the Ghana Football Association and the Ghanaian government, both of which described the decision as unfair and pursued diplomatic and legal channels to challenge the ruling. Ghana’s Foreign Ministry formally protested the decision and explored judicial review options under Canadian law.
Sources close to the matter now indicate that Partey’s appeal has been upheld, paving the way for the experienced midfielder to travel to Canada and link up with the Black Stars squad ahead of their World Cup campaign.
The development comes as a major boost for head coach Carlos Queiroz, who views Partey as one of the key leaders in the team. The former Arsenal star brings invaluable experience, having featured prominently for Ghana in major international tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.
Partey’s availability strengthens Ghana’s midfield options as the Black Stars seek to progress from a challenging group that includes Panama, England and Croatia. His leadership, composure on the ball and defensive qualities are expected to play a crucial role in Ghana’s ambitions of reaching the knockout stages.
The visa saga has been one of the most talked-about off-field stories of the tournament, highlighting the complex intersection between immigration policies and international sporting events. FIFA has maintained that visa decisions remain the responsibility of host nations and are outside the organization’s jurisdiction.
Ghanaian supporters will now be relieved that one of their most influential players could soon be available for selection, giving the Black Stars a significant boost as they aim to make a strong statement on football’s biggest stage.
Should the appeal outcome be officially confirmed by Canadian authorities and the Ghana Football Association, Partey’s arrival would mark a dramatic turnaround in a story that had threatened to overshadow Ghana’s World Cup preparations.
