Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey stands on the brink of learning his fate, as a Canadian Federal Court prepares to decide on his appeal against a visa refusal that could determine whether he joins the Black Stars for their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.

The hearing kicks off at 9:00 a.m. in Canada (1:00 p.m. in Ghana), with anticipation running high among football fans across the nation as they await the verdict.

Partey’s hopes of joining his teammates in Canada were dashed when his visa application was rejected, a setback linked to ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

The 33-year-old faces seven counts of rape and one count of assault involving four women over alleged incidents said to have taken place between 2020 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is expected to stand trial later this year.

Now, the former Arsenal midfielder is fighting to overturn the decision in a Canadian court, a crucial step that could clear the path for his World Cup dreams.

Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, recently revealed that both the government and Ghana’s diplomatic representatives in Canada have been actively supporting Partey’s efforts to gain entry into the country.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz has voiced his concern over Partey’s absence, stressing that the seasoned midfielder is central to Ghana’s ambitions for the tournament.

Partey was notably absent from the squad that traveled to Toronto to complete preparations for Wednesday’s Group L opener against Panama at BMO Field.

If the court sides with him, Partey is poised to fly straight to Toronto and could be ready to join the squad just in time for Ghana’s opening match.

The Black Stars begin their World Cup campaign against Panama before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 in what is expected to be a highly competitive Group L.

Tuesday’s court decision could reshape not only Partey’s World Cup journey but also Ghana’s hopes for success on football’s biggest stage.