I would have no hesitation in shaking Partey’s hand before kick-off – John Terry

Close-up of a Black male soccer player in a yellow jersey with a red collar, shouting on the field.

By Jamaldeen Wiayuka June 23, 2026

Former England captain John Terry says he would shake Thomas Partey’s hand before England’s World Cup clash with Ghana, urging players to keep their focus on football despite the controversy surrounding the Black Stars midfielder.

The debate has intensified ahead of Tuesday’s Group L encounter after the English Football Association decided not to issue formal guidance on the traditional pre-match handshake, leaving the decision to each England player.

Partey, who missed Ghana’s opening 1-0 victory over Panama after being denied entry into Canada, is expected to return for the meeting with England. The midfielder is due to face criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom after being charged with rape and sexual assault. He denies the allegations, and the case is yet to be heard in court.

Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored alongside Simon Jordan, Terry said he would have no hesitation in shaking Partey’s hand before kick-off.

The former Chelsea defender, who was at the centre of a high-profile handshake controversy with Wayne Bridge in 2010 following a personal dispute, suggested that England’s players should concentrate on the match rather than off-field issues.

The Football Association’s decision to leave the matter to individual players means there will be no official directive on whether members of the England squad should participate in the customary pre-match handshake with Partey.

The issue has added another layer of intrigue to an already significant fixture, with both England and Ghana entering the contest on three points after winning their opening Group L matches.

Victory for either side at Boston Stadium would put them in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 ET (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday.