Partey called up for Ghana's WC squad: Innocent until proven guilty
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 02.06.26. | 18:39
The Black Stars boss Carlos Queiroz explained his decision to include the former Arsenal midfielder in the squad in the simplest possible terms
The Black Stars are ready for the World Cup!
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz announced his 26-man squad for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, resolving one of the biggest dilemmas surrounding the team - whether Thomas Partey would be included.
🇬🇭 Carlos Queiroz explains Thomas Partey selection:
— TheCowboyX 🔴 (@Olukunlegbenga) June 2, 2026
🗣️ Queiroz: "As far as I know, in England, in Portugal, whatever, we are living in this world, until the court makes a decision, that the presumption of innocence is on the side of all court cases." pic.twitter.com/Y3mehDGvwJ
The former Arsenal midfielder has endured numerous off-field issues due to the rape allegations hanging over him, but the Portuguese manager still saw fit to include the 32-year-old in his final 26-man squad.
"It's a simple and basic answer."
"As far as I know, in England, in Portugal, whatever, we are living in this world, until the court makes a decision, that the presumption of innocence is on the side of all court cases," Queiroz offered a straightforward explanation, talking to the media in the press conference ahead of Ghana's friendly match against Wales tonight (21.45).
🫶🏾 26 Men. One Mission! 🇬🇭🏆
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 1, 2026
👤 Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has named Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. 🌍
🗓️ The campaign begins on 17 June against Panama in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in… pic.twitter.com/qLCpZwuGxn
Apart from Partey, there are several other high-profile names in the Black Stars' squad - particularly in attack - such as Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City, Atalanta's Kamaldeen Sulemana, Brandon Thomas-Asante of the new Premier League side, Coventry City, and, of course, the biggest star of the team, Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo.
The clash against Wales will serve as Ghana's dress rehearsal for the World Cup, where they'll face Panama, England, and Croatia.
GHANA WORLD CUP SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick's)
Defenders: Abdul Rahman Baba (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Peprah Oppong (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)