Canada·BreakingA Federal Court judge has dismissed Thomas Partey's bid for emergency relief after Canada denied the Ghanaian midfielder entry for the FIFA World Cup.Partey faces charges in the U.K. of rape and sexual assaultThe Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 16, 2026 4:59 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 1 minuteThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Ghanaian soccer player Thomas Partey, seen here in September 2025, has lost an appeal for entry into Canada for the World Cup. (Ian Walton/The Associated Press)A Federal Court judge has dismissed Thomas Partey's bid for emergency relief after Canada denied the Ghanaian midfielder entry for the FIFA World Cup.Justice Roger Lafrenière, who heard the application Tuesday morning, rejected Partey's request to temporarily override Canada's decision and allow him to travel to Toronto for Ghana's opening match against Panama on Wednesday.Partey, 32, remains in the U.S. with the Ghana team after being found inadmissible to Canada.The former Arsenal player is awaiting trial next year in England on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty.Lafrenière said Partey failed to show grounds for emergency relief and found the balance of convenience favoured maintaining Canada's immigration rules.Canada has said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and that hosting the World Cup does not change the country's immigration laws. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey charged with 5 counts of rape, British police sayGhana's Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for FIFA World Cup amid rape chargesPartey was permitted to enter the United States for Ghana's training camp and upcoming World Cup matches in Boston and Philadelphia.