Why is Djed Spence not wearing a protective mask on his chin during England vs France at World Cup 2026?

DJED SPENCE is not wearing a protective mask around his chin as England face France in the World Cup’s third-place play off. The Tottenham star has played in all of the Three Lions‘ matches at the World Cup so far. Djed Spence was ordered to wear a protective mask throughout the World Cup Credit: Getty The Spurs full-back admitted having it on is ‘uncomfortable’ Credit: AP Why is Djed Spence not wearing a protective mask? Spence suffered a broken jaw on the eve of the squad announcement. The full-back picked up the injury in the closing stages of Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on May 19 when he took an elbow to the face by Liam Delap. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Spence went for medical checks after the match, and it was discovered that he had, in fact, broken his jaw in the challenge. As a result, he was ordered to wear the mask, but the defender stopped wearing it from the semi-final against Argentina. On wearing the mask, Spence said: “It is a little bit uncomfortable – but it is what it is. “I have a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament. “It is something I will have to get used to. “It will be three months until it is fully healed, so it is a long time. Most read in Sport “It was painful, but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw so it is all good. “I have been wearing it in training, getting used to wearing it in the heat, and trying to break it in properly. “It was a crazy challenge, but it is in the past now. I’ve just got to focus on this tournament now.” Spence broke his jaw after being elbowed by Liam Delap Comment now