Written by Mohamed Ragab
Ghana's national team coaching staff announced the inclusion of midfielder Thomas Partey in the preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite the controversy surrounding him due to legal charges he faces in Britain, which sparked widespread reactions within sports and media circles.
The decision to call up Partey came as part of the choices of coach Otto Addo, who preferred to rely on the player’s experience in midfield during the World Cup, especially after the important role he played in the qualifying campaign for the World Cup.
Key players of the Ghanaian national team
Partey is considered one of the most prominent members of the Ghanaian national team in recent years, as he contributed to the “Black Stars” qualifying for the World Cup for the fifth time in their history.
The Ghanaian player is facing media controversy in Britain due to a pending legal case, but the Ghana Football Association has not issued any statement indicating his exclusion or suspension, which has opened the door for him to remain in the technical staff's plans before the start of the tournament.
Observers believe that the decision to include Partey reflects the Ghanaian national team's desire to retain experienced players within the squad, especially given the strength of the group in which the team will play its matches during the World Cup.
Creating goals or leading the midfield
The player is expected to be a key element alongside a number of stars, most notably Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew.
Partey had played a prominent role in the qualifiers, both in creating goals and leading the midfield, which prompted the coaching staff to retain his services despite the surrounding media pressure.
Sports reports also indicate that the player still enjoys the confidence of coach Otto Addo, who considers him one of the mainstays of the Ghanaian national team.
The Ghanaian national team is preparing for an intensive training camp before the start of the World Cup, amid great ambitions to deliver a strong performance that will bring the team back to the forefront of the world stage, after it previously reached the quarter-finals in the 2010 edition in South Africa, the best achievement in the history of Ghanaian football.
