What is Djed Spence wearing on his face for England vs Ghana at World Cup?

Jaw guard: England and Tottenham defender Djed Spence has been using a custom protective jaw guard during the 2026 World Cup. The specialised medical gear is necessary as he continues to recover from a broken jaw.
Injury: The fracture happened during a Premier League match between Tottenham and Chelsea in May. Chelsea striker Liam Delap caught Spence in the face with an elbow while contesting a high ball, though the injured full-back managed to finish the entire 90 minutes.
First appearance: Spence started using the protective equipment five days later against Everton, once the severity of the fracture was revealed. The guard allowed him to play safely and helped his club secure a crucial 1-0 win to stay in the Premier League.
What Spence has said: Reflecting on the mask and his recovery, he noted: "It's a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is. 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."

Pre-World Cup friendlies: Spence tested the jaw guard by featuring in England's warm-up fixtures leading up to the tournament. He trialled the gear on the international stage during consecutive victories against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

Healing process: Medical personnel estimate that the jawbone will take roughly three full months to fully recover. Because of this timeline, Spence is set to wear the guard during all training sessions and matches.