Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been included in Ghana’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup despite ongoing legal proceedings facing the player.
The 32 year old midfielder, who currently plays for Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
Thomas Partey has been included in Ghana national football team’s provisional FIFA World Cup squad despite ongoing legal proceedings. Photo : Courtesy.
Despite the ongoing case, Ghana national team head coach Carlos Queiroz included the experienced midfielder in a 28 man provisional squad for a pre World Cup training camp and an international friendly match against Wales scheduled for June 2 in Cardiff.
The Ghana coach is expected to reduce the squad to 26 players before the start of the FIFA World Cup tournament in North America.
Partey remains one of Ghana’s most experienced midfielders having played a key role for the Black Stars in recent international competitions including the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers. The midfielder made 167 appearances for Arsenal between 2020 and 2025 before leaving the English club last summer after the expiry of his contract.
During his time at Arsenal, Partey helped the club compete in domestic and European competitions and was widely recognised for his strength, defensive abilities and leadership in midfield.
The preliminary Ghana squad also includes Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City and Coventry City striker Brandon Thomas.
Leicester City duo Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu were also named in the provisional squad as Ghana intensifies preparations for the tournament. Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur was left out due to a quadriceps injury that has kept him out of action since January.Goalkeeper Joseph Anang, who plays for St Patrick’s Athletic ,was among five goalkeepers selected in the squad.
Ghana will begin their World Cup Group L campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group stage matches in Foxborough and Philadelphia respectively.
The inclusion of Partey in the squad has sparked mixed reactions among football fans online with some supporting his experience and importance to the national team while others questioned the decision due to the ongoing court case.
However, football authorities in Ghana are yet to indicate any plans to exclude the midfielder from national team duties as legal proceedings continue.
