Thomas Partey and Ghana: Will the former Arsenal star play against England at the 2026 World Cup?

England and Ghana meet in a highly anticipated World Cup Group L clash on Tuesday, but much of the discussion ahead of kickoff has centered on one player.

Thomas Partey. The Ghana midfielder did not feature in his country’s opening 1-0 victory over Panama, despite being one of the biggest names in the squad. His absence immediately raised questions among fans, especially after Ghana secured a dramatic win thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Caleb Yirenkyi.

Now, with Ghana preparing to face England, Partey’s status is once again in the spotlight.

Thomas Partey’s allegations explained

Partey is currently facing serious criminal charges in the United Kingdom. In July 2025, he was charged with 5 counts of rape and 1 count of sexual assault. The allegations involve separate women and relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022.

In February 2026, authorities announced 2 additional rape allegations connected to an alleged incident from December 2020. Partey denies all charges against him.

His legal representatives have stated that he welcomes the opportunity to clear his name through the court process. The case remains ongoing and no verdict has been reached. A trial is currently scheduled to begin in June 2027.

Why Thomas Partey missed Ghana’s first World Cup match

Ghana’s opening match against Panama was played in Toronto, Canada.

According to reports, Partey was denied entry into Canada because he did not disclose the pending legal proceedings against him, which is required under Canadian immigration rules.

An appeal challenging that decision was unsuccessful. As a result, Partey was unavailable for Ghana’s opening group-stage fixture and watched from outside the country while his teammates secured all 3 points.

His absence was one of the major stories surrounding Ghana’s World Cup campaign during the opening round of matches.

Will Thomas Partey play against England?

Unlike Canada, the United States granted Partey entry for the tournament.

US authorities confirmed that while they were aware of the ongoing legal case, Partey has not been convicted of any crime and was admitted after receiving a visa. That means the midfielder is available for selection against England in Boston. Partey has also publicly stated that he feels ready to play after missing the Panama match.

Whether he starts or comes off the bench remains a decision for Ghana’s coaching staff, but there are no reported travel restrictions preventing his involvement in the match. The possibility of Partey returning gives Ghana an experienced option in midfield ahead of one of its toughest group-stage tests.

What club does Thomas Partey play for now?

Partey’s time with Arsenal ended in June 2025 when his contract expired.

The midfielder spent nearly 5 years with the North London club after arriving from Atletico Madrid in a £45 million transfer in 2020. During his spell at Arsenal, he made 167 appearances and scored 9 goals. Shortly after leaving England, Partey signed for Spanish side Villarreal on a free transfer.

When announcing the move, Villarreal acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings and stated that the club respects the principle of presumption of innocence while awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.

As England and Ghana prepare to meet, the focus will naturally be on the battle for crucial World Cup points. Yet Partey’s situation ensures that one of football’s most closely watched off-field stories will remain part of the conversation every time he steps onto the pitch until the legal process reaches its conclusion.