Spence plays through broken jaw at World Cup 2026 with custom carbon-fibre mask

Djed Spence is competing at the 2026 World Cup with a fractured jaw, protected by a custom-fitted carbon-fibre mask that the Tottenham Hotspur full-back is required to wear for the duration of the tournament.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury during a Premier League match between Tottenham and Chelsea in May, when he was caught by an elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap. Spence showed considerable resilience by completing the remainder of that game despite the fracture, and returned just five days later — wearing specialist protective headgear — to help Spurs secure a crucial win over Everton that kept them in the top flight.

Medical experts estimate that a broken jaw takes around three months to heal fully, meaning Spence will need to wear the mask throughout the entire World Cup. He has been using it in training and in all three of England’s group-stage fixtures, and has acknowledged the discomfort it brings.

“It’s a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is,” Spence said ahead of the tournament. “I’ve got a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout. 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.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel has backed Spence despite a turbulent domestic season in which Tottenham came close to relegation, praising his versatility and handing him a start at left-back against Ghana before bringing him on at right-back against Panama.

Spence’s role could become even more prominent in England’s last-32 tie against DR Congo. First-choice right-back Reece James has been ruled out with a hamstring problem, while makeshift replacement Jarell Quansah is also a doubt after twisting his ankle against Panama. That leaves Spence as the likely starter on the right flank — mask and all.