Thomas Partey will not feature in Ghana's opening World Cup match against Panama on Wednesday after a federal court in Ottawa rejected an appeal to grant the midfielder entry into Canada.

Partey was refused a Canadian visa due to ongoing criminal proceedings against him in the United Kingdom. The Ghanaian government moved to intervene, seeking special permission for Partey to enter the country on a temporary basis to take part in the fixture.

The appeal hearing was held at a federal court in Ottawa on Tuesday, but the bid to overturn the visa refusal was unsuccessful, confirming that Partey will be absent when Ghana kick off their World Cup campaign.