Thomas Partey has been filmed training with young children alongside his Ghana team-mates in Rhode Island, days after being denied entry to Canada for his side's opening World Cup game.
Partey, 33, faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022, to which he has pleaded not guilty in London. He is due to stand trial in June next year.
On Friday, it was announced that Partey, formerly of Arsenal and now at Spanish side Villarreal, will miss his nation's World Cup opener in Toronto against Panama after having his 'visa application refused by the Canadian government'.
He has continued to train with the Ghana team in the United States and, at the weekend, was filmed interacting with children during a community event at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The Ghana national team have been based at the university campus after arriving from Washington, D.C. on Friday. He is set to stay at the hotel in Providence, Graduate by Hilton, when the rest of the squad travel to Toronto on Tuesday.
According to a post on the university's official Facebook page, Partey and his Ghana team-mates were involved in a 'community day', where they engaged with 'members of the Bryant community, fans across the globe, and local youth soccer groups'.
Community day at Bryant University
Partey was filmed playing football with a group of young children and was presented with a cake to mark his 33rd birthday. Later, he was filmed signing shirts and taking pictures with Ghana fans.
Security concerns on campus
The Athletic reports that Partey and his team-mates have been training on a pitch neighbouring one used by teenage girls for a hockey camp. Despite the team supposedly having a 'private and secure area' at the university, on Friday the off-limits area did not appear to be enforced, and dozens of schoolgirls walked across the car park, including into the restricted area.
Bryant University has acknowledged it was aware of the legal charges facing Partey and said 'enhanced security measures' were in place.
A university statement given to The Athletic on Saturday said: 'As an Official Team Base Camp training site selected by FIFA, Bryant provides practice facilities and access to training, recovery and sports medicine spaces, within a private and secure area of campus athletic facilities. All team activities are taking place as part of a highly coordinated security approach with FIFA World Cup 2026 officials, Rhode Island State Police, local police and outside security. These enhanced security measures have been planned for months and are in place starting this weekend, prioritising the safety and security of all groups on campus. We are aware of the legal charges facing a member of Team Ghana in a London court, which became public months after Bryant was announced as a base camp host. We look forward to continuing to work closely with FIFA, State Police and other security officials to support a safe and secure World Cup 2026.'
Ghana's remaining group games
Partey is eligible to play in Ghana's remaining Group L fixtures against England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on 23 June and Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 27 June.
The legal case against Partey
Partey was first charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, days after leaving Arsenal upon the expiration of his contract. He was originally due to face the charges at a trial at Southwark Crown Court in November.
In February this year, it was announced that Partey had been charged with two additional allegations of rape dating back to December 2020.
Last month, a judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, agreed to a delay and ordered that the trial, due to last up to eight weeks, will now start on 8 June 2027.
Partey has previously appeared in the dock to plead not guilty to all charges. He is on bail during the legal proceedings, with a condition that he does not contact the alleged victims. The next hearing in his case has been set for 2 October.
He has made more than 50 appearances for Ghana, including at the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.