During Ghana’s pre-World Cup friendly against Wales, Thomas Partey’s every touch of the ball elicited a chorus of boos. For the duration of his 45 minutes on the field, Partey was subject to jeers from the home fans at the Cardiff City Stadium.The vice-captain of Ghana has grown accustomed to that kind of reception, particularly on British soil. Partey, once of Premier League champions Arsenal, is due to stand trial in the United Kingdom on seven charges of rape and one of sexual assault.The trial had been scheduled for November, but may now be delayed until early 2027. Before that, Partey has other matters to attend to — the 32-year-old has been selected for Ghana’s 26-man World Cup squad.Ghana’s coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his decision to name Partey on his roster. “It’s a simple and basic answer,” Queiroz told a press conference. “As far as I know — in England and Portugal, wherever we are living in this world — until the court makes a decision, the presumption of innocence is on the side of all court cases.”“But today — and this is not only about Thomas — very unfortunately, the way the social media and the media sometimes act with full and total impunity, we are condemned even before we have the opportunity to defend.”Partey will have that opportunity, at Southwark Crown Court, London. Partey denies all the charges and his lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, has said in a statement that her client welcomes “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.Before then, however, he will face the scrutiny of public opinion. Ghana are participants in what FIFA expects to be the most-watched sporting event in history, a tournament that will unfold across three countries and attract a global television audience measured in billions. For many players, the World Cup is the pinnacle of a career.For Partey, it also represents the most prominent public stage he has occupied since criminal proceedings were initiated. The World Cup sees Partey under a searing spotlight, most notably on June 23, when Ghana face England at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.Partey spent five years in English football, became a familiar figure in the Premier League and remains best known to English supporters through his time at Arsenal. The match will place him in front of an audience uniquely familiar with both his footballing career and the allegations that now surround him.Partey left Arsenal last summer (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Detectives at the Metropolitan Police began an investigation into Partey in February 2022, having received a reported allegation of rape. That investigation would continue for more than three years, during which time Arsenal continued to select Partey. The Athletic has previously reported that as early as September 2021, the club were contacted by one woman to make them aware of her allegations against Partey.Nevertheless, Partey remained a regular presence in Arsenal’s first team. He made more than 100 appearances after police inquiries began and continued to feature in some of the club’s biggest matches — a reality that prompted debate among supporters about the responsibilities of football clubs when serious allegations are being investigated.Throughout much of the police investigation, most UK media organisations did not identify Partey because of legal concerns relating to defamation and privacy rules.Partey’s contract at Arsenal was due to expire at the end of June 2025. Manager Mikel Arteta spoke of his desire to see the Ghanaian’s contract renewed, and on June 4, the Arsenal website confirmed that discussions were “ongoing”. In the end, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement and Partey left the club at the end of his deal on June 30.Within four days of his release, he was charged with an initial five counts of rape and one of sexual assault. The alleged offences were reported to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 and relate to three women.In August 2025, Partey — then a free agent — appeared at Westminster Crown Court. He was granted conditional bail, under which he must not contact the complainants, directly or indirectly. He was also told he must inform police of any international travel 24 hours in advance.Two days later, Partey had a new club. La Liga team Villarreal signed Partey on a two-year deal, despite objections from some supporter groups. “The club is aware that the player is currently involved in a legal proceeding in England,” read an official statement. “The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case.”Partey made 32 appearances for Villarreal this season, where the jeers and whistles have followed him. In September 2025, he returned to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League. He was brought on as a substitute to a hostile reception, accompanied by chants of: “Thomas Partey, we know what you are.”In February 2026, Partey was charged with two new counts of rape, which he pleaded not guilty to in April. These two further charges relate to a fourth woman, following a new investigation by the Met. These allegations, which date back to 2020, were first reported to police in August 2025.Ghana’s squad arrived in Washington D.C. for the World Cup on June 4, with Partey among the travelling group. He has been able to secure a visa for the U.S., and is expected to do so for Canada before Ghana face Panama at the Toronto Stadium on June 17.For Ghana, Partey remains a senior player, a regular starter and a member of the team’s leadership group. Yet as the World Cup begins, he also arrives as one of the tournament’s most scrutinised participants — a footballer awaiting trial on serious criminal charges as he plays on the game’s biggest stage.