Partey ban appeal hangs over Panama's World Cup opener vs Ghana

Panama open their World Cup tomorrow, and Ghana could be without Partey

Your team faces Ghana on Wednesday in the Group L opener, a game that could shape the entire knockout picture. Croatia and England are the other two teams in the group (3).

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is fighting to be there. He stands accused of rape, and Canadian authorities have barred him from entering the country for the match (1). Ghana's FA are appealing the decision (1). For your team, it is a major subplot, Partey is one of Ghana's most experienced players, and his absence changes the midfield battle.

Partey case overshadows the buildup

The ban is a Canadian government decision, not a FIFA suspension. Ghana are pushing hard to get it overturned before kickoff (1). No resolution has been confirmed yet. If the appeal fails, Ghana lose a player with over 50 international caps.

Group L starts here

Panama come in off a 7–1 friendly win, the biggest margin of any team in the tournament so far. Carlos Queiroz is at his fifth straight World Cup, and the squad is not interested in the underdog label, Ismael Díaz already brushed off Zlatan Ibrahimović's "punching bag" remark as just Zlatan being Zlatan. Wednesday is the real test.

The match kicks off tomorrow, June 17. TV listings and predicted line-ups are out (2) (3).