Overview
- Thomas Partey was confirmed in Ghana’s final 26-man World Cup squad and travelled with the team to a warm-up in Cardiff on Tuesday, remaining available for selection.
- Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault from allegations dating 2020–22, and a trial at Southwark Crown Court is scheduled for November 2026 with the possibility of delay into early 2027.
- Coach Carlos Queiroz has defended the pick by citing the presumption of innocence and saying he has no problem selecting a player who remains under bail, and Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku publicly said the association stands by Partey.
- Partey must follow UK bail rules that require notification before overseas travel and US immigration rules require declaration of criminal charges on entry, and England’s FA is reported to be weighing whether players should shake hands with him before their June 23 match.
- The decision combines sporting and reputational stakes for Ghana because Partey is a key midfielder whose availability affects tactics, public attention and potential immigration or legal hurdles during the tournament.