A Canadian court dismissed an appeal by Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey after officials denied him entry for the World Cup. The decision means the 33-year-old will miss the Black Stars' Group L opener against Panama in Toronto. Judge Roger Lafreniere ruled that Partey failed to justify the mandatory relief needed to overturn the inadmissibility finding.

Immigration officials based the decision on Canadian laws that allow the government to block foreign nationals even without a foreign conviction. This ruling comes while Partey faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in Britain, charges he denies. While the US government granted him a visa, Canada maintained that reasonable grounds existed to deem him inadmissible.

Lawyer Mackeda Bramwell previously stated that Partey would not pursue further legal action if the judge ruled against him. This absence leaves Ghana without a veteran presence for their first match. The Ghana Football Association has been contacted for comment as the team prepares to play Panama without their midfielder.