Villarreal’s Thomas Partey has been named in Ghana’s preliminary 28-man World Cup squad despite being due to stand trial in the United Kingdom on rape and sexual assault charges.Ghana published its squad late on Monday night, with the team beginning a training camp in Cardiff ahead of a friendly against Wales next Tuesday.Partey, 32, left Arsenal upon the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2025, after nearly five years. The Premier League club were in talks to extend Partey’s deal, but he ultimately left on a free transfer to Spanish side Villarreal.On July 5 2025, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. In September, he pleaded not guilty. He was charged with two new counts of rape in February this year, which he pleaded not guilty to in April.The seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault will be tried at Southwark Crown Court, London. The trial was originally scheduled for November, but may now be delayed until early 2027. Under the conditions of his bail, Partey is obliged to notify authorities of any plans to travel abroad.The initial six charges, which relate to three women, are alleged to have taken place in 2021 and 2022. Detectives at the Metropolitan Police began their investigation into Partey in February 2022 when they received a report of alleged rape. The two further charges relate to a fourth woman after a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020 and following a new investigation by the Met. These allegations were first reported to police in August 2025.