Ghana’s government has commenced legal action against Canada over the decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa, escalating an off-field controversy that could keep one of the Black Stars’ most experienced players out of the country’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to BBC Sport, Ghana has filed an application for judicial review of the visa refusal, with a court hearing scheduled in Ottawa as officials seek permission for Partey to enter Canada ahead of Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama in Toronto.

The legal move comes days after FIFA confirmed that the former Arsenal midfielder would be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in the United States after Canadian authorities refused his visa application.

The decision has triggered strong reactions in Ghana, with government officials describing Canada’s action as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”

Ghana is seeking a temporary arrangement that would allow Partey to enter Canada specifically for the World Cup fixture. The government is also asking that Canadian immigration authorities permit the player to submit a fresh visa application.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said diplomatic engagements are also ongoing alongside the court challenge in an effort to resolve the matter before Ghana’s campaign progresses.

Partey’s visa difficulty is linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

The 33-year-old midfielder has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year.

Canadian authorities have, however, maintained that hosting the World Cup does not suspend or alter the country’s immigration laws.

In a statement quoted by the BBC, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said every applicant seeking entry into Canada is assessed individually based on the facts available and the applicable law.

“Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws.

“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” the statement said.

The case has become one of the major off-field controversies of the tournament and has raised fresh concerns over visa and immigration issues surrounding the World Cup.

Partey, who now plays for Spanish club Villarreal, has earned more than 50 caps for Ghana since making his international debut in 2016 and was part of the Black Stars squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Before the tournament, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz defended the decision to include Partey in the squad, insisting that football considerations should be treated separately from the legal issues surrounding the midfielder.

After the Panama fixture in Toronto, Ghana are scheduled to face England in Boston on June 23 before taking on Croatia in Philadelphia four days later.

Even if Partey misses the opening game, the issue may not end there, as Ghana could return to Canada in the knockout stages if they advance from the group.

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