Following a visa decision by Canadian authorities, Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey will not be able to play in Ghana’s opening FIFA World Cup match in Canada, according to the Ministry for Sports and Recreation (MOSR). The government is urging FIFA to become more involved in the situation.
The Ministry voiced worry in a statement on Saturday, June 13, 2026, regarding rumors that the Villarreal midfielder was been refused admission into Canada, where Ghana will play their first Group L match against Panama on June 17.
The government supports Partey
Thomas Partey has served Ghana with distinction, dedication, and professionalism over the years, according to the Ministry. Millions of Ghanaians, his teammates, the Ministry, the Ghana Football Association, and the Government of Ghana all solidly support him during this trying time.
“Like every individual, Thomas is entitled to the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence, which remains a cornerstone of justice systems across the world,” the statement said.
Demand FIFA’s involvement
The Ministry for Sports and Recreation stated that it is especially worried about the consequences for international sport, even if the Ghanaian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is still involved in the diplomatic aspects of this issue.Every attempt should be made to guarantee that sporting considerations are handled in a way that maintains fairness, equal opportunity, and the integrity of competition for all participating nations when a player is still eligible under FIFA regulations and available for national team selection,” the statement stated.
The Ministry urged FIFA to become more involved in this issue and to work with host countries on measures that defend the rights of member associations, officials, and credentialed players.
“To guarantee that all qualified teams have access to their eligible players, FIFA’s dedication to fairness must go beyond the playing field. FIFA must continue to promote values that support fair representation, equal participation, and competitive integrity throughout its competitions as the world’s governing body of football,” the statement continued.
The tournament’s integrity
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the Ministry, is a celebration of international solidarity via athletics. Therefore, it is crucial that all participating countries have an equal chance to compete with their qualified officials and athletes.
Join forces with the Black Stars
The Ministry stated that Ghana is steadfast in its support of the Black Stars and is still proud of Thomas Partey’s contribution to Ghanaian football.The statement added, “We encourage all Ghanaians to support the team as they embark on their FIFA World Cup campaign, confident that our unity, tenacity, and patriotism will continue to inspire success on the international stage.”
Partey was part of Carlos Queiroz’s 26-man World Cup team. He is on trial in London to which he has entered a not guilty plea. He must inform authorities of any plans to travel overseas in accordance with the terms of his bail. Upon entering the nation, he must also disclose his legal status in accordance with US federal law.Sports
The important midfield player, who has 57 caps for the Black Stars, will not be present when Ghana plays Panama in Toronto on June 17 to begin their Group L campaign. After that, the team will play Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 and England in Boston on June 23.
The Honorable Kofi Iddie Adams, the Republic of Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, signed the statement. Partey’s availability for Ghana’s upcoming games against England and Croatia, which will take place in the US rather than Canada, is still unknown. It is believed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still engaged in diplomatic discussions over the issue.