Court hearing underway as Ghana pushes to overturn Thomas Partey's Canada visa decision

A court hearing aimed at overturning Canada's decision to deny Thomas Partey entry for Ghana's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway, with Ghanaian officials remaining optimistic about the outcome.Sources close to the proceedings have indicated that the mood surrounding the hearing is positive, although no decision has yet been reached.The legal challenge forms part of Ghana's efforts to secure Partey's availability for the Black Stars' Group L opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17, after Canadian authorities refused the midfielder entry into the country.The Ghanaian government has been pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues since the visa refusal, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs holding discussions with Canadian officials while also seeking judicial intervention.Despite the optimism surrounding the ongoing hearing, Ghana's technical team is continuing preparations for the Panama match regardless of the outcome.Officials are confident the squad is fully focused on the tournament, and if the appeal is unsuccessful, the Black Stars will proceed without Partey for the opening fixture.Partey remains eligible for Ghana's remaining Group L matches against England and Croatia in the United States after American authorities granted him entry despite his ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.The midfielder has denied all the charges against him through his legal representatives, and the case remains before the courts.A ruling on the application is expected once the hearing concludes.