Ghana include Thomas Partey in their pre-World Cup training group despite an ongoing legal case; Mohammed Kudus misses out through injury
The Ghana Football Association has included Thomas Partey in a 28-man list for a pre-World Cup training camp and a friendly, even as the midfielder deals with a significant off-field legal matter. Partey, now 32, moved to Villarreal after his Arsenal contract expired in 2026 and is scheduled to stand trial next year in the United Kingdom.
The inclusion highlights the tension between sporting selection and ongoing legal proceedings, and it places extra scrutiny on the squad-building choices of coach Carlos Queiroz.
Legal status and timeline
The player has publicly pleaded not guilty to a set of criminal allegations: seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault that relate to incidents reported by four different women between 2026 and 2026.
These are described in official filings in the United Kingdom, and Partey’s legal team has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He was initially charged last July, shortly after his Arsenal deal lapsed, and was granted bail; two days after that bail decision, Villarreal completed his signing.
That sequence — charge, bail, club transfer — has become part of the wider public discussion about how clubs and national teams respond to players facing serious accusations.
Club and international form
Partey spent five seasons with Arsenal before departing in 2026 and made 167 appearances in all competitions for the north London club between 2026 and 2026. At international level he has been a regular presence for Ghana, featuring across qualification and friendlies for the national side and recording 58 caps. Since his move to Villarreal in 2026 he has continued to be selected by the national team, taking part in the matches that sealed Ghana’s place at the tournament. His experience and midfield presence are cited by selectors as reasons for his continued inclusion.
Injury blow and squad balance
Ghana’s preparation has not been without setbacks. Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudus has been left out after suffering a quad injury in January that has proven slower to heal than first expected. Kudus, 25, has scored 13 goals in 46 appearances for the national team and had been anticipated to return to club action before the World Cup, but a recovery setback has kept him sidelined. His absence forces coach Carlos Queiroz to recalibrate the forward options and rely on other attacking resources in the provisional group.
Attacking options and recalls
With Kudus unavailable, Queiroz will look toward players such as Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams to provide pace and finishing. The coach has also recalled former Chelsea defender Abdul Rahman Baba, now at PAOK, marking his first national-team call-up since 2026. Veteran forwards and youngsters mix in the list as Queiroz balances form, fitness and international experience when trimming down the preliminary roster to the final squad required for the tournament.
Preliminary squad rundown
The manager named a 28-player group — described as a preliminary 28-man squad — that includes five goalkeepers, a blend of domestic-based and Europe-based defenders and midfielders, and forwards with varied club backgrounds. The goalkeeping contingent features Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi and Paul Reverson. Defenders on the list include Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Alexander Djiku and Elisha Owusu. The midfielders and forwards mix experienced names with emerging talent.
Midfield and forward list
Midfield selections include Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. The attacking choices on the provisional roster are Kamaldeen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew. Queiroz must submit a final 26-player squad before the event, and the decisions over fitness, form and the unresolved legal matter surrounding Partey will be central to public and media attention.
Next steps and tournament schedule
Ghana will use the upcoming training camp and a friendly against Wales in Cardiff on 2 June as the final phase of preparation before naming the tournament roster. The team has been drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, England and Panama, with the opening match against Panama scheduled for 17 June in Toronto, followed by fixtures in Foxborough and Philadelphia. As the camp approaches, selectors must weigh eligibility, fitness and public scrutiny, particularly given Partey’s ongoing legal proceedings and the need to finalise a cohesive squad for the World Cup.
