World Cup 2026: Ghanaians furious over Canada decision to deny Thomas Partey visa for opener

Ghanaians have expressed disappointment following Thomas Partey's Canada visa refusal for the Black Stars' opening game against Panama at the World Cup. 

The former Arsenal star has been refused entry to Canada over his pending court case in the United Kingdom.

Partey has been accused of seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.The midfielder has pleaded not guilty.

After it was confirmed he will miss the game against Panama, Ghanaians took to social media to vent their spleen.

"Can someone explain this to me? With the Thomas Partey situation, if he hasn’t been found guilty in court yet, how can a visa be denied? Doesn’t “innocent until proven guilty” apply in Canada?," AFC Ben10, an X user wrote. 

"Still in shock over this Thomas Partey issue…. Why do we assume the accused is guilty until he proves his innocence; when it’s supposed to be the other way round??? At least the Benjamin Mendy case should teach us not to behave in a manner that makes the accused seem guilty before trail England players and the media should be preaching this after the Mendy innocent verdict If we are not careful, people will just accuse people just to ruin their lives," Bright Kankam Boadu, a top Ghanaian journalist posted. 

Mohammed Awal Hudu wrote: "They used lies to destroy the career of Benjamin Mendy and they are now coming on Thomas Partey." 

Saddick Adams shared: "On what grounds should Ghana have excluded Thomas from the squad? Was he not playing in one of the most professionally conducted leagues in the world? If Ghana had dropped him on these allegations, wouldn’t that amount to same violation of the presumption of innocence?" 

"I love how almost every Ghanaian is asking what happened to “presumption of innocence” in the case of Thomas Partey and that is spot on. My question is why do we lose same apt understanding when people throw allegations without evidence and we turn to attack the ones asking for evidence of those allegations before the conclusions we make? We then turn around to hang those asking for same principle of “presumption of innocence” and tag them as “defending” against “truth” where in actual fact truth is only premise on evidence. In Ghana just make sure your name isn’t soiled, and your goodwill doesn’t drain. If not, anything is allowed on you and people lose their apt understanding and senses when is you at the end of it all. Upholding principles," Owusu Bempah Ayala also posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to leave for Canada next week for the opening game against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.