UPDATED: GhanaWeb earlier reported that Thomas Partey had been granted a visa based on information from sources familiar with the court proceedings. The story has since been updated to reflect the accurate status of the case.

Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey has lost his appeal against the visa denial to enter Canada to participate in Ghana's World Cup opener.

This came after lawyers of the Black Stars midfielder appeared before the Federal Court in Ottawa as legal proceedings commenced regarding the denial of his visa application to enter Canada ahead of Ghana's opening FIFA World Cup match against Panama.

Court documents sighted indicate that an application for leave and judicial review was filed on June 15, 2026, under case number IMM-12882-26.

The matter was listed as an immigration case arising outside Canada and was scheduled to be heard in Ottawa.

During the trial, Partey's lawyer argued that a not guilty plea had been entered regarding the rape allegations against his client, adding that the matter was still before the court.

The lawyer further argued that Partey was not subject to any travel ban.

He added that his client's passport had not been seized and that he had even been allowed to enter the US.

The court earlier rejected further affidavits from lawyers in the UK after the judge ruled that it was improper to rely on the late materials submitted by Partey's counsel.

The lawyers for the Canadian immigration authority argued that a criminal conviction was not needed to justify the denial of Partey's visa.

However, the judge stopped them and asked whether there was any precedent for that in Canadian law.

The judge, after hearing the arguments, sided with the immigration authorities and threw out Partey's application.