2026 World Cup: FIFA has failed players after Partey’s Canada Visa rejection – Ghana’s Sports Minister
Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has criticised FIFA over its handling of Thomas Partey’s inability to enter Canada for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing football’s governing body of failing to safeguard the rights of players participating in the tournament.
The former Arsenal midfielder is set to miss Ghana’s opening Group L match against Panama in Toronto on 17 June after Canadian authorities refused his visa application. The decision comes despite Partey being granted entry to the United States, where Ghana’s national team is currently based.
Speaking to Ghanaian broadcaster TV3, Adams expressed disappointment with FIFA’s response to the situation, arguing that the organisation had not done enough to prevent a selected player from being excluded from a World Cup fixture.
“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.”
FIFA has maintained that decisions regarding visas and entry requirements remain the responsibility of the host nations. However, Adams said such an approach was inadequate when it affected athletes officially selected to compete in 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 said.
The minister argued that the issue goes beyond immigration policy and raises questions about the integrity of the competition itself.
“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 suggested that countries awarded major sporting events typically commit to facilitating entry for athletes, officials and participating teams.
“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,” he said.
The Ghanaian minister pointed to what he described as a series of issues surrounding the expanded World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. He referenced reports that Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been appointed by FIFA, was denied entry to the United States.
“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 said.
He also highlighted the contrast between Canada’s decision and that of the United States, which granted Partey a visa despite ongoing legal proceedings against him 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,” Adams noted.
While acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to determine who enters the country, Adams called for a review of the decision.
“I think the higher authority has the opportunity to review this decision, and they must do so,” he said.
Partey is currently standing trial in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Through his legal representatives, he has denied all charges. The case remains before the courts.
Although the midfielder will miss Ghana’s opening match against Panama, he remains available for the Black Stars’ remaining group-stage fixtures against England and Croatia, both of which will be played in the United States.
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