England defender Djed Spence will wear a protective mask throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a broken jaw in a Premier League match. The Tottenham full-back sustained the injury during the closing stages of the penultimate league game of the season against Chelsea.
How Did the Injury Happen?
Spence was struck by an elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap while contesting a high ball. The defender described it as a "crazy challenge" and expressed surprise that the incident did not result in a red card. Despite the pain, the 25-year-old finished the match before wearing a custom facial brace just five days later in a crucial 1-0 win over Everton, which secured Premier League survival for Tottenham.
Healing and Mask Requirements
The fracture will take three months to fully heal, meaning Spence must wear the protective mask for the entirety of World Cup 2026. He has been actively wearing the gear during England's warm-up sessions in Florida to adapt to playing with it in the intense summer heat. The defender successfully played 45 minutes with the mask in a 1-0 win over New Zealand, where he provided a cross to assist Harry Kane's winner.
Under FIFA regulations, players are permitted to wear lightweight protective gear such as face masks, provided they pose no danger. These masks are typically made from high-density carbon fibre or soft, padded materials and must be approved by match officials during pre-game inspections.
Spence's Attitude Toward the Setback
When asked about the discomfort, Spence remained unbothered. He said: "It's a little bit uncomfortable but it is what it is. It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw, so I was all good." He added: "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. I've been wearing it in training, getting used to it in the heat and just trying to fit in it properly, break it in."
England's final pre-tournament friendly is against Costa Rica in Orlando, where Spence is expected to wear the mask for the full duration of his minutes on the pitch. The squad is focused on fine-tuning tactics before their World Cup opener against Croatia next Wednesday.
