England considering boycotting handshake with Thomas Partey in 2026 World Cup
The England Football Association (FA) is reportedly considering whether England players should take part in the traditional pre-match handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey during their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage encounter.
According to reports by The Times, discussions are taking place within the FA over whether guidance should be issued to England’s squad before the Group L fixture against Ghana on 23 June in Boston.
Partey, who plays for Spanish side Villarreal and previously featured for Arsenal, is currently facing trial in the United Kingdom on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The 33-year-old has denied all allegations and entered not guilty pleas. Legal proceedings remain ongoing.
The customary pre-match handshake, widely regarded as a symbol of respect and sportsmanship, has become the focus of debate following Partey’s inclusion in Ghana’s final World Cup squad.
While no official decision has been announced by the FA or England manager’s staff, reports suggest internal discussions are centred on how players should approach pre-match formalities in light of the circumstances surrounding the Ghana international.
The issue places football authorities in a sensitive position, requiring them to balance the principle of legal due process with concerns about public perception and the image of the sport on one of its biggest stages.
England and Ghana are set to meet in what is expected to be a pivotal Group L encounter. The group also includes Croatia and Panama, with the Black Stars beginning their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia.
As preparations intensify for the tournament, attention is increasingly extending beyond football matters, with ethical considerations and governance issues becoming part of the wider conversation ahead of the World Cup.
Ghana are making their fifth World Cup appearance, having previously competed in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their best performance came in South Africa in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals and came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
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