Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey may be omitted from the Black Stars squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as he battles legal troubles.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 5, charged with five counts of rape against two women, and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 when he was playing for north London club Arsenal.

He was charged four days after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June.

His next appearance is at the Old Bailey on 2 September.

The Black Stars will travel to N’Djamena to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on September 4, before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8.

Head coach Otto Addo is set to unveil his squad for Ghana’s Matchday 7 and 8 qualifiers in the coming days.

Ghana currently lead Group I after six matches and are pushing for a fifth appearance at the World Cup.

Partey joined Villarreal on a two-year deal and made his second appearance, coming off the bench in their 5-0 victory over Girona.