A Canadian federal court has dismissed Thomas Partey's emergency appeal to enter the country for Ghana's FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L clash against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

Judge Roger Lafreniere rejected the bid on Tuesday, ruling that Partey had sought extraordinary, mandatory interlocutory relief — which would have compelled Canada to overturn a lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and allow him entry for a specific event. The judge found no grounds to grant that relief.

Visa denial and the legal fight

Canadian immigration authorities denied the 33-year-old midfielder a visa last week, prompting his legal team to file an urgent appeal to the Federal Court in Ottawa. His lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, told Reuters ahead of the ruling that the team remained hopeful of a favourable outcome, and confirmed that Partey would not pursue a further appeal if the court ruled against him. Following the decision, Bramwell did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The US government has granted Partey a visa, and Ghana's squad — including the former Arsenal midfielder — has been training in Boston ahead of their second group fixture against England on June 23.

Canada's inadmissibility rules