Ghana will play their World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday without midfielder Thomas Partey. A Canadian federal judge dismissed an urgent injunction request on Tuesday that would've forced Ottawa to grant the Villarreal player a visa.

Judge Roger Lafreniere threw out the challenge, according to broadcaster CBC. Ghana's government had filed the request earlier on Tuesday in an attempt to set aside Canada's decision to block Partey over the rape charges he's facing in Britain.

Partey, 33, is accused of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women between 2020 and 2022. He denies all the allegations. The case is ongoing in British courts.

Canada's immigration laws allow the government to deny entry to anyone facing serious criminal charges abroad. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in a statement that "Canada has been consistent that hosting major events doesn't change Canada's immigration laws." It added that every person seeking to enter is assessed individually based on the facts and the law.

Ghana's government is furious. Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa called Canada's decision "high-handed and extremely unfair." He described Partey as "a key member of Ghana's senior national team." Accra has sent an official "note of protest" to Ottawa and formally asked Canada to review the decision.

Canada's foreign ministry told AFP that it "maintains regular diplomatic engagement with Ghana, including on consular and migration-related issues when they arise." But the ministry declined to comment on discussions about Partey's exclusion and said entry decisions are made by IRCC.

Ghana's veteran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters in Toronto that his side would be ready whatever the outcome. "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me," Queiroz said. "When the decision comes, we're ready."

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen said he believed Ghana would still be strong competition even without Partey. "They have a lot of other footballers who can take on his role," he said in Spanish. Christiansen added that Ghana wouldn't be "weaker" because Partey was absent. "They have a lot more experience than we have," he said of the Black Stars.

Partey joined Villarreal in 2024 after five seasons at Arsenal. He's been a key figure for Ghana's national team since his debut in 2016, earning over 50 caps. His absence is a major blow for the Black Stars, who are making their fourth World Cup appearance.