So, imagine being told you can’t play in your country’s World Cup opener — 48 hours before kick-off. That’s the drama Ghana and Thomas Partey are facing right now.

According to cbinews.tv, Ghana’s government isn’t taking Canada’s visa snub lying down. They’ve dragged the whole thing to court to fight for midfielder Thomas Partey’s entry into Canada.

Here’s the situation: Partey is set to miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto this Wednesday because Canadian authorities denied him a visa. The hearing is locked in for 14:00 BST (09:00 Eastern Time) in Ottawa.

The 33-year-old’s visa headache stems from ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to allegations by four women between 2020 and 2022. His trial isn’t until next year.

Ghana’s not happy, though. The government called Canada’s decision “high-handed and extremely unfair” and wants the court to let Partey enter Canada just for the match. They’ve also asked for permission to let him submit a fresh visa application.

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says they’re pulling diplomatic strings too, trying to secure a Canadian visa for the former Arsenal man. No one’s quite sure how long the court case will drag on, though — which means Partey’s World Cup debut is still hanging in the balance. — cbinews.tv

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