World Cup 2026: England players set to shake hands with Thomas Partey

England players are expected to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before Tuesday’s crucial Group L World Cup encounter in Boston, despite the controversy surrounding the Black Stars star.

Partey missed Ghana’s opening match against Panama after Canadian authorities denied him entry into the country. The midfielder is currently facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom, all of which he has denied. His legal team has consistently maintained his innocence, and proceedings are ongoing.

The former Arsenal midfielder has since joined Ghana in the United States and is expected to be available for selection against England after being cleared to enter the country. His return would provide a major boost to the Black Stars following their dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama.

Several England players have strong connections with Partey from their time at Arsenal. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka shared a dressing room with the Ghana international during his five-year spell in North London.

According to reports, the Football Association has not issued any specific guidance regarding interactions with Partey before the match. As a result, England players are expected to follow the traditional pre-match protocol and shake hands with their opponents, including the Ghana midfielder.

The situation has inevitably generated discussion around England’s preparations, but both the FA and head coach Thomas Tuchel have emphasized the importance of keeping the focus on football.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham recently stressed that England’s best chance of success at the World Cup comes from allowing the coaching staff and players to concentrate fully on the tournament.

Tuchel echoed that view when asked about off-field issues.

“At some point it must be allowed for a football team that is sent to a World Cup to be a football team and not be a political statement, be a political role model,” the England manager said.

The German coach also stressed his desire to avoid becoming involved in political debates during the competition.

“Maybe I can hide a little bit behind being not English and not talking to everything that happens in your country out of respect. And focus a little bit more on football.”

For Ghana, Partey’s potential return would be a significant boost. The Black Stars defeated Panama without him thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi’s late winner, but the experienced midfielder’s presence could prove crucial against an England side that impressed in their 4-2 victory over Croatia.

With qualification implications already on the line, attention in Boston will ultimately turn to events on the pitch. Yet the presence of Partey and the scrutiny surrounding him ensure that Tuesday’s match carries significance beyond football alone.