Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has no concerns about including Thomas Partey in the World Cup squad despite ongoing legal issues.
Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has been named in Ghana's preliminary World Cup squad. Partey, who previously played for Arsenal, faces seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge from four women between 2020 and 2022. His trial is scheduled for next year. The 32-year-old is currently in the UK as part of Ghana's 28-man squad for a warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff.
Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association, previously stated that the governing body stands by Partey. Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 and left at the end of his contract last summer.
Asked if he had any reservations about selecting Partey, Queiroz responded with clarity. 'If the player is here with me, my answer is clear. I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?' He emphasized allowing legal processes to unfold naturally.
Queiroz continued, 'Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth.' Partey has been training with Ghana, who will play their first match under Queiroz's leadership. The coach was appointed as the Black Stars manager in April.
Antoine Semenyo, a forward for Manchester City, joined Ghana's training session over the weekend. The team is scheduled to face England in Group L at the World Cup. Their campaign begins against Panama on June 17, 2026. Queiroz expressed excitement about the team's potential.
Queiroz stated, 'When you talk about football in Ghana, it is in the blood, it is everything.' He praised the talent available and the combination of passion and skill. 'And the talent is here so it is an explosive combination to succeed, which was the first and most important attraction to Ghana.' He added, 'We're ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup.'