Overview
- Spence suffered a fractured jaw in May during a Premier League match and will protect the injury with a custom‑fitted brace for all World Cup games.
- The player tested the headgear in England warm‑up matches and has said the mask is uncomfortable in North American heat but that he is adapting and expects no drop in performance.
- Tuchel publicly justified selecting Spence for the 26‑man squad by praising his defensive profile, pace, and recent England performances, despite club‑level concerns.
- Some outlets reported the injury came after an elbow from Chelsea striker Liam Delap that drew a yellow card, but that specific attribution is less fully corroborated across coverage.
- Masks have precedent at major tournaments—most notably Kylian Mbappé at EURO 2024—and England’s opener on June 17 will be the first test of Spence’s fit and the brace under match conditions.