By Kwame Bediako
Black Stars midfielder, Thomas Partey will appear in a Canadian Federal Court on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in a bid to overturn the decision blocking his entry into Canada ahead of the Black Stars’ World Cup opener against Panama.
The hearing is set for 9:00 a.m. ET, with Ghana hoping for temporary permission that could still make him available for selection.
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has confirmed the legal move and said the government, through its embassy in Canada, is supporting Partey’s case. He expressed optimism that the ruling could be overturned so the midfielder can join the squad in Toronto before Wednesday’s match.
Partey was denied entry by Canadian authorities because of his ongoing legal proceedings in the UK, where he faces seven counts of rape and one count of assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the allegations remain unproven until tested in court.
The 32-year-old was not with the Ghana contingent that travelled to Toronto on Monday to prepare for the Group L opener at BMO Field. If the injunction succeeds, he could still arrive on Tuesday and be considered for the Panama game.
Even if the appeal fails, Partey is still expected to be available for Ghana’s next group matches against England and Croatia. For now, the case adds another layer of uncertainty to Ghana’s World Cup build-up on and off the pitch.
