Djed Spence, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, has been wearing a custom-made protective jaw guard during England's matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The headgear is essential as he recovers from a broken jaw sustained in a Premier League match against Chelsea in May 2026.
How the Injury Happened
Spence fractured his jaw after being struck in the face by an elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap during a challenge for a high ball. Despite the painful fracture, the 25-year-old completed the full 90 minutes of the match. The severity of the injury was confirmed after the game, leading to the fitting of a protective guard to allow him to play safely.
Spence first wore the headgear in a Premier League match against Everton five days after the Chelsea clash. Fans were pleased to see him compete as Spurs secured a 1-0 victory, which provided crucial points in their fight to remain in the Premier League.
Spence's Comments on the Guard
Discussing his recovery, Spence said: "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."
Medical experts estimate that Spence's jawbone will take three months to fully heal. Consequently, he is expected to wear the guard for the entire World Cup tournament.
World Cup Appearances with the Guard
The Tottenham star also wore the jaw guard during England's World Cup warm-up matches against Costa Rica and New Zealand. During the tournament, he wore it for the final 10 minutes of England's opening win against Croatia and for the first hour of the 0-0 draw with Ghana.
England will face Panama in their final group stage game, aiming to bounce back from the draw with Ghana. The Three Lions previously secured a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match.
