The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has said that he has no knowledge of midfielder Thomas Partey being denied a Canadian visa ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars are scheduled to face Panama at the Toronto Stadium on June 17, 2026, in Canada in their first game of the tournament before returning to the United States for other matches.

Ahead of the tie, rumors surfaced that the Villarreal midfielder had been denied a visa by Canadian authorities due to the rape charges he is currently battling in court.

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During the PM Express program aired on Joy News on June 10, 2026, the Member of Parliament for the Buem constituency stated that his attention had not been drawn to the issue and therefore could not address it.

Kofi Adams disclosed that Partey had experienced visa challenges in the past, but those were successfully resolved, and there has not been a similar incident since then.

“I am not aware that Partey’s visa has been denied. If such a thing had happened, they would have informed me. I know he had visa challenges in the past, but those were resolved. The players are ready for the game,” he said.

Watch the video below:

“I am not aware that he has been denied a visa”

Sports Minister Kofi Adams on reports that Thomas Partey may have been denied a visa to Canada over rape allegations.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/koUafhqkLF

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) June 11, 2026