By The Daily Caller (Opinion) | Created at 2026-06-12 21:56:25 | Updated at 2026-06-13 00:22:31
4 hours ago
Canada has denied Ghana soccer star Thomas Partey from entering the country, forcing him to miss his team’s first World Cup match June 17.
The Ghana national team was traveling to Toronto from their base camp in Rhode Island, however the Canadian government denied the 32-year-old Partey’s visa application. Partey is currently awaiting trial in London, where he was charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, ESPN reported. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. (RELATED: Hit The Road, Omar: US Drops The Hammer On Somalian)
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement.
CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 02: Thomas Partey of Ghana reacts during the international friendly match between Wales and Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium on June 02, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
The U.S. government recently took heat after blocking Somalian World Cup referee Omar Artan from entering the country. Rep. Ilhan Omar called the move “shameful.” But it’s not just America that’s keeping a watchful eye on who comes through its border: the passive liberal democracy to the north is also cracking down. I find it hard to believe that American liberals will make a stink over Canada’s decision.
This is such a shameful decision by the Trump administration. The World Cup is supposed to be an event that transcends divisions and allows people to come together for the love of the sport. Omar Artan might have been denied entry even after being granted a visa but his story…
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 9, 2026
Because maybe it had nothing to do with the actual people affected by these decisions in the first place, or about the sanctity of “open borders.” Maybe it was always just a cheap way to dunk on the Trump administration’s immigration policies, while also making the United States out to be some evil, greedy, xenophobic place.
This German tourist, who fell in love with the American South during a road trip, would beg to differ.
