Ghana Coach Queiroz Defends Thomas Partey Selection Ahead of World Cup

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has defended the inclusion of midfielder Thomas Partey in the Black Stars squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup, saying it is not his role to judge the player as legal proceedings continue in the United Kingdom.

CARDIFF, Wales — Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his decision to include Thomas Partey in the Black Stars squad, insisting he has no concerns about selecting the midfielder as the team prepares for an international friendly against Wales and next month’s FIFA World Cup.

Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault relating to four women between 2020 and 2022. A trial is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom next year. According to UK media reports, the allegations relate to events said to have occurred during his time as a Premier League player. The midfielder returned to the UK with Ghana’s squad for their World Cup preparation camp in Cardiff, where Queiroz was asked about his decision to include one of the country’s most experienced players in the national team setup.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Wales, Queiroz made clear he remained focused on football matters.

“If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” Queiroz told reporters.

“I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here, so what are we talking about?

“This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.

“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, who joined Spanish side Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, remains a key figure in Ghana’s midfield and is expected to play an important role in the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign should he be selected for the final tournament squad. The Ghana Football Association has also publicly backed the player’s continued involvement with the national team. GFA President Kurt Okraku previously stated that the governing body stood by Partey while legal proceedings continue.

Queiroz’s comments came as Ghana stepped up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Portuguese coach took charge of the Black Stars in April and is overseeing the team’s final preparations before the tournament begins.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia and will use the Wales friendly as an important test before travelling to North America. Despite questions surrounding Partey’s availability off the field, Queiroz stressed that his focus remains on building a competitive squad capable of representing Ghana on football’s biggest stage.

The coach also expressed confidence in the quality of players available to him.

“When you talk about football in Ghana, it is in the blood, it is everything,” he said.

“And the talent is here, so it is an explosive combination to succeed.

“We’re ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup.”

The Black Stars face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday before finalising preparations for their World Cup opener against Panama on June 17.

Carlos Queiroz defends Partey selection, citing presumption of innocence#JoySports pic.twitter.com/xyB47F6Tka
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) June 1, 2026

Why This Matters

Partey remains one of Ghana’s most experienced international footballers and is expected to play a significant role in the team’s World Cup plans. Queiroz’s defence of the midfielder highlights the delicate balance sports organisations face when legal proceedings involving high-profile athletes continue while they remain available for selection. The issue is likely to remain under scrutiny as Ghana prepares for the World Cup and as legal proceedings in the UK continue.

Reporting by Edem Hodasi