Carlos Queiroz stands firm on Thomas Partey selection for 2026 World Cup

Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has firmly defended his decision to include Thomas Partey in Ghana's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the midfielder's presence in camp speaks for itself.

Speaking ahead of Ghana's international friendly against Wales, the Portuguese coach made it clear that he had no intention of revisiting or justifying his selection decision.

Asked about criticism surrounding Partey's inclusion, Queiroz said the matter was straightforward from his perspective.

"Look, four years ago in 2022, I faced much more difficult questions than when I was the national team coach. I don't follow in that way. So, if the player is here with me, my answer is clear," he said.

"So, I don't have to make comments about my own decisions. So, he is here."

The Ghana coach also stressed that he prefers to focus on football matters and avoid distractions ahead of the World Cup.

"The key point for me in my professional life is to keep everything that is poison or dust far away from the front lines," Queiroz added.

The former Real Madrid and Portugal manager acknowledged the scrutiny surrounding the issue but argued that judgments should be left to the appropriate authorities rather than public opinion.

"But unfortunately, as I said, today it's really difficult to deal with everything that is on top of us, on top of the game. And to be honest with you, I think there are much more serious problems and issues in the world to talk about."

He continued: "This is not for you, for me, to make judgments about one situation that you don't know, I don't know, nobody knows. So, let the people that are in charge make the right decisions."

The comments follow Queiroz's earlier defence of Partey's inclusion, in which he argued that the principle of presumption of innocence should apply until the legal process reaches its conclusion.

Partey remains part of Ghana's World Cup preparations in Cardiff as the Black Stars prepare to face Wales before travelling to North America for the tournament, where they will meet Panama, England and Croatia in Group L.