World Cup 2026: England defender Djed Spence to play with protective mask

England defender Djed Spence will head into the World Cup carrying a visible reminder of a recent setback, after confirming he will play in a protective mask following a broken jaw.

The Tottenham Hotspur full-back is expected to wear the face covering throughout the tournament as England prepare for a demanding group stage campaign in the United States.

Despite the discomfort, Spence insists he is ready to push through and remain available for selection as the stakes rise on football’s biggest stage.

Injury blow in Premier League clash

The injury occurred during a Premier League encounter against Chelsea, when Spence was involved in a collision with striker Liam Delap.

Although he managed to complete the match, the aftermath proved more serious than initially hoped, forcing him to wear a mask in Tottenham’s final game of the season against Everton as a precaution.

The incident left him managing a recovery period that is expected to stretch over several months, though he avoided being ruled out of international duty.

Determined to feature for England

Spence has downplayed the severity of the disruption to his World Cup preparations, insisting his role on the pitch remains unaffected. “It’s a little bit uncomfortable but it is what it is,” Spence told reporters on Monday.

“I’ve got a broken jaw so I have to wear ⁠it throughout the tournament. It’s something I will have to get used to. It’ll be three months until it’s ‌fully healed, so it’s a long time.”

He also revealed that he never feared missing out on England’s squad despite the injury. “It was painful but luckily I play ‌football with my feet and not my jaw. So I ‌was all good,” the 25-year-old added.

England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 before facing Ghana and Panama in what is expected to be a tightly contested group phase. Spence’s presence, even under protection, offers Gareth Southgate another defensive option as England target a strong start.