Court denies Ghana bid to get Thomas Partey, who faces rape charges, into Canada for World Cup game

Partey faces allegations in Britain from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020 to 2025. He has pleaded not guilty.

OTTAWA, Ontario — A Canadian federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghana’s bid to get Thomas Partey into the country for the team’s first World Cup match while the midfielder awaits trial on rape charges.

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The ruling means Partey, whose visa application was denied last week, will remain in the United States while his teammates face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana’s next two matches — both in the U.S.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial for Partey, who awaits trial in Britain, as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Its appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday.