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Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is included in Ghana's preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup, despite facing serious legal charges. This situation puts Ghana's strategy and team dynamics under intense scrutiny as they prepare for the tournament.
Partey, who has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault tied to allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022, is set to stand trial next year. At 32, he currently plays for Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, where he made 167 appearances from 2020 to 2025. Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku expressed strong support for Partey, stating, “He is one of the top midfielders in the world and we stand by him shoulder to shoulder.”
Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz has named Partey in a preliminary 28-man squad for a training camp and a friendly against Wales on June 2. Key changes include the exclusion of goalkeepers Solomon Agbasi and Paul Reverson and the replacement of injured defender Alexander Djiku with Derrick Luckassen. Ghana opens their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, followed by matches against England and Croatia. This roster raises questions about team cohesion and focus as the tournament approaches.
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