World Cup 2026: Ghana Sports Minister Kofi Adams criticises FIFA over Thomas Partey Canada visa decision

Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has criticised FIFA over its handling of Thomas Partey's Canada visa refusal, arguing that the world governing body has failed to protect the rights of players competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Partey will miss Ghana's opening Group L match against Panama on June 17 after the Canadian government refused his visa application, despite the midfielder being granted entry into the United States, where the Black Stars are based.

Speaking to TV3, Adams questioned FIFA's position that immigration decisions fall solely within the jurisdiction of host governments, insisting that players selected for the World Cup should be guaranteed access to tournament venues.

"And that is why I am equally very much disappointed in the behaviour of FIFA, the world governing football body, in handling situations that have arisen as part of this FIFA World Cup 2026," Adams said.

"I think they have poorly handled a lot of things and the earlier they sit up, better."

The minister argued that FIFA should have done more to prevent a situation in which a key player is unable to represent his country after being selected for the tournament.

"FIFA cannot say that it cannot interfere with the internal affairs of the host countries as to whether they admit a person into their country or not. This should not have been the position, especially for a player."

He added that the issue extended beyond immigration policy because it directly affected the sporting integrity of the competition.

"For you to just say that they can choose based on their national laws to deny a player, not a fan, but a player, a key player for that matter, who finds himself as being selected in the first team, and for FIFA to issue such a lame statement is so unfortunate."

Adams also argued that countries awarded major sporting events are normally required to guarantee entry for participating athletes and officials.

"There are many clauses that they sign on to. Amongst them are unfettered rights to clubs that may be participating if it's a club competition or nations that will be participating, and their athletes would have to be given visas."

The minister said the Partey case was not an isolated incident, pointing to other controversies surrounding the tournament, including Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the United States despite his appointment by FIFA.

"We saw a referee that FIFA itself has appointed and has been denied entry. And now we've seen athletes or players who have been searched on their body with all kinds of sniffing dogs."

Adams also contrasted Canada's decision with that of the United States, noting that Partey was granted a U.S. visa despite the ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

"Thomas has been issued a visa to America recently. He applied in the United Kingdom and was issued a visa to enter the United States. That is why he's in America currently."

While acknowledging that Canada has the sovereign right to determine who enters its territory, Adams urged the authorities to reconsider the decision.

"I think the higher authority has the opportunity to review this decision, and they must do so."

Partey is currently standing trial in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has denied all the charges through his legal representatives, and the case remains before the courts.

Although he will miss Ghana's opener against Panama in Toronto, the midfielder remains eligible for the Black Stars' remaining group-stage matches against England and Croatia in the United States.