Ghana's government has condemned Canada's refusal to grant midfielder Thomas Partey a visa as "high-handed and extremely unfair," calling for the decision to be reviewed ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Partey, 32, was denied entry into Canada and will not be available for Ghana's opening Group L fixture against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. The former Arsenal man now plays for Villarreal, having joined the Spanish club in August following his release at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Government invokes presumption of innocence

In an official statement, the Ghana government said it is engaged in "active diplomatic engagements" with Canadian authorities, expressing hope that the ban can be reversed before the tournament concludes.

The statement pointed to the basis of the refusal: "The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction."

It continued: "The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice."

Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault. The allegations involve four different women and relate to incidents said to have occurred between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year.

Canadian entry regulations, published on the government's official website, state that individuals who "have committed or been convicted of a crime" may be denied access to the country. BBC Sport has approached the Ghana Football Association for comment.

Partey could still feature later in the tournament

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz had expressed no reservations about selecting Partey for the FIFA World Cup 2026 squad before the tournament began.

The Black Stars face England at Boston Stadium, Foxborough, on 23 June and Croatia on 27 June — both matches for which Partey would be eligible, as neither is played on Canadian soil.

Ghana could also return to Canada during the knockout rounds if they finish as runners-up in Group L, potentially bringing the visa issue back into focus.

The government said it would "explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair consideration of all factual issues."