Djed Spence Refuses Handshake with Thomas Partey Before England Clash with Ghana

June 28, 2026 3 min read

Djed Spence appeared to deliberately avoid shaking Thomas Partey's hand in the moments before England's World Cup 2026 qualifier against Ghana. Video footage circulating on social media captured the England defender walking past the Ghana midfielder without acknowledging him during the pre-match formalities at Wembley Stadium.

The Handshake Incident

The confrontation occurred as both players lined up for the traditional pre-match handshake ritual. Spence, representing England for the first time since his international debut, walked the length of the line and appeared to skip past Partey entirely. Cameras recorded the moment, with the Ghana captain visibly reacting to the apparent slight.

Partey, who plays his club football for Arsenal in the English Premier League, has faced scrutiny throughout his career for various controversies on and off the pitch. The midfielder captained Ghana to a 2-1 victory in the first leg of this qualifying tie.

Player Backgrounds

Spence joined the England squad for the first time after an impressive season with Nottingham Forest in the Championship. The 23-year-old defender previously represented England at youth level across multiple age groups before receiving his first senior call-up. His selection came as somewhat of a surprise to many football analysts given his relatively limited top-flight experience.

Partey, now 31 years old, has been a cornerstone of the Ghana national team since making his debut in 2016. He has amassed over 40 caps for the Black Stars and has captained the side since 2021. His performances for Arsenal have made him one of the most recognisable African players in the Premier League.

England vs Ghana Rivalry Context

The handshake incident added tension to an already charged encounter between two nations with deep footballing connections. Several Ghanaian players featured in this match currently play their club football in England, creating unique dynamics whenever the two national teams meet. The rivalry has historical roots dating back to their first competitive fixture in 1961.

Both teams entered this fixture with everything to play for in the qualification race. England, seeking to maintain their perfect qualifying record, faced a Ghana side desperate to upset the Three Lions on their home soil.

Reactions and Fallout

Social media erupted following the incident, with supporters from both nations sharing their views on Spence's actions. Some England fans defended the defender, suggesting he may not have noticed Partey in the pre-match line-up. Ghana supporters were quick to criticise the apparent snub as disrespectful to the Ghana captain and his nation.

The Ghana Football Association has not issued an official statement regarding the handshake incident as of Tuesday evening. England manager Gareth Southgate declined to comment on the matter when approached by reporters during his pre-match press conference.

Match Result and Implications

Despite the pre-match controversy, England emerged victorious in the encounter, winning 2-0 at Wembley Stadium. Goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka secured maximum points for Southgate's side, giving them a commanding lead heading into the return fixture in Accra next month.

The result leaves Ghana needing a significant turnaround in the second leg if they are to progress to the next stage of World Cup qualification. The Black Stars must overturn a two-goal deficit while keeping a clean sheet at the Accra Sports Stadium.

What Comes Next

The two teams will meet again on 17 November in Accra for the decisive second leg. Ghana will need to produce a performance reminiscent of their first-leg success if they are to book their place at the 2026 World Cup finals. Football fans worldwide will be watching to see whether any further incidents occur between these two sides.