What is Djed Spence wearing on his face?
England defender Djed Spence has been wearing a custom-made protective face brace and jaw guard during the 2026 World Cup. He has worn it in all five of his appearances so far, including the upcoming match against Norway.
Why is he wearing a mask?
Spence suffered a broken jaw in May 2026 during a Premier League match for Tottenham against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The injury occurred when he came on as a substitute and was struck in the face by the elbow of Chelsea striker Liam Delap during an aerial challenge. Spence later described the incident as "a crazy challenge."
How long did the injury keep him out?
Despite the fracture, Spence completed the remainder of the match. He was in the starting lineup just five days later, wearing his mask, to help Spurs beat Everton 1-0. Medical experts estimate that his jawbone will take approximately three months to fully heal, which is why he has been required to wear the mask throughout the World Cup.
What has Spence said about the mask?
Spence said the headgear is "a little bit uncomfortable" and difficult to deal with in the heat, but he laughed that it won't affect his game because he plays football with his feet, not his jaw. He added: "I have been wearing it in training, getting used to wearing it in the heat, and trying to break it in properly."
