England's Djed Spence is heading into his first FIFA World Cup with a fractured jaw but that has not broken his spirit. The Tottenham full-back, who made history last September as England's first Muslim senior international, earned his place in Thomas Tuchel's squad despite the injury. He was the one to offer an assist to Harry Kane's winner in England's 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand while managing the condition. He uses a jaw support for his condition and acknowledged being in pain but remains to determined to play.<h2>How did Spence broke his jaw?</h2>Spence sustained a broken jaw in a challenge with Chelsea striker Liam Delap during the penultimate game of the Premier League. The injury will require three months to fully heal which means he will play the entire World Cup wearing a protective mask. The timing was brutal, arriving just days before the squad announcement and sparking widespread debate about whether he should travel at all. Yet Spence refused to let it define him.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-somali-referee-artan-dropped-from-world-cup-official-list-after-us-denies-entry-1780975545587">FIFA 2026 | Somali referee dropped from WC official list after US denies entry</a>"It's a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is," Spence told reporters, brushing aside any suggestion the injury might hamper his contribution. In typically grounded fashion, he put the whole episode in perspective: "It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw," he said.On his World Cup call-up, Spence said: "It shows the manager believes in me, believes in my quality and I'm thankful for him and I just want to keep on putting in the performances to make everyone happy. It's a huge honour, to play for your country is a big thing and I'm over the moon and happy to be here. It's been a difficult season. There's always light at the end of the tunnel."<h2>England schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026</h2>England have been drawn in Group L and will open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Notably, the Englishmen were knocked out by Croatia at the semi-final stage in 2018. They face Ghana next on June 23 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before rounding off the group stage against Panama on June 27 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.&nbsp;

Spence will wear a protective mask at the World Cup after breaking his jaw in training, but insists it won't affect him. "I play football with my feet, not my jaw," the Tottenham defender said.

England's Djed Spence is heading into his first FIFA World Cup with a fractured jaw but that has not broken his spirit. The Tottenham full-back, who made history last September as England's first Muslim senior international, earned his place in Thomas Tuchel's squad despite the injury. He was the one to offer an assist to Harry Kane's winner in England's 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand while managing the condition. He uses a jaw support for his condition and acknowledged being in pain but remains to determined to play. How did Spence broke his jaw? Spence sustained a broken jaw in a challenge with Chelsea striker Liam Delap during the penultimate game of the Premier League. The injury will require three months to fully heal which means he will play the entire World Cup wearing a protective mask. The timing was brutal, arriving just days before the squad announcement and sparking widespread debate about whether he should travel at all. Yet Spence refused to let it define him. Also Read - FIFA 2026 | Somali referee dropped from WC official list after US denies entry "It's a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is," Spence told reporters, brushing aside any suggestion the injury might hamper his contribution. In typically grounded fashion, he put the whole episode in perspective: "It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw," he said. On his World Cup call-up, Spence said: "It shows the manager believes in me, believes in my quality and I'm thankful for him and I just want to keep on putting in the performances to make everyone happy. It's a huge honour, to play for your country is a big thing and I'm over the moon and happy to be here. It's been a difficult season. There's always light at the end of the tunnel." England schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026 England have been drawn in Group L and will open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Notably, the Englishmen were knocked out by Croatia at the semi-final stage in 2018. They face Ghana next on June 23 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before rounding off the group stage against Panama on June 27 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Spence will wear a protective mask at the World Cup after breaking his jaw in training, but insists it won't affect him. "I play football with my feet, not my jaw," the Tottenham defender said.

FIFA 2026 | 'Painful but luckily I play with my feet': Spence, with broken jaw, ready to go the extra mile for England at World Cup

Tottenham's Djed Spence said the opportunity to make history as the first male player who publicly identifies as a Muslim to represent England was a "blessing" as he prepares for a potential debut. The 25-year-old defender was one of two new faces included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. It is understood Spence could become the first Muslim man to play for England's senior team.&nbsp;"I've seen that," the versatile full-back said at England's training base. "It's a blessing, it's amazing. I did see something like that.&nbsp;"I was surprised, really, first ever. It's just amazing. I don't have the words really."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-fifa-sanctions-lionel-messi-s-argentina-five-other-nations-for-racist-abuse-by-fans-1756918550720">FIFA sanctions Lionel Messi's Argentina, five other nations for racist abuse by fans</a>&nbsp;But the former England Under-21s international said he did not feel under extra pressure, adding: "I just play football with a smile on my face."&nbsp;Spence's faith is a major part of his identity and is something he frequently acknowledges on social media.&nbsp;"First things first, God is the greatest," he said. "I pray a lot. I give gratitude to God.&nbsp;"In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I've always believed that God has always been by my side.&nbsp;"When I'm winning, when I'm in a good moment, I promote God as well because he's always been by my side. It's a big thing for me, my faith."Spence's rise has been a slow one.&nbsp;After impressing in the Championship for Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest, he moved to Premier League Tottenham in 2022. But he initially struggled to make an impression under former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, and spent time on loan at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa. The defender only made his full Spurs debut in December, two-and-a-half years after he joined the club in what proved a breakthrough campaign that culminated in Europa League glory.&nbsp;He came on as a substitute in the Bilbao final, having initially been omitted from Ange Postecoglou's group-stage squad earlier in the season.&nbsp;"Without (a strong) mentality, you won't make it to the top," said Spence. "I definitely think I have got a strong mentality, especially to fight through challenges."&nbsp;"I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong," he added.&nbsp;Now the full-back hopes to inspire others.&nbsp;"If I can do it, you can do it," he said. "Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it."&nbsp;England face Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday before travelling to play Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday.&nbsp;Tuchel's men are top of Group K with three wins from three matches so far.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The 25-year-old defender was one of two new faces included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Tottenham's Djed Spence said the opportunity to make history as the first male player who publicly identifies as a Muslim to represent England was a "blessing" as he prepares for a potential debut. The 25-year-old defender was one of two new faces included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. It is understood Spence could become the first Muslim man to play for England's senior team. "I've seen that," the versatile full-back said at England's training base. "It's a blessing, it's amazing. I did see something like that. "I was surprised, really, first ever. It's just amazing. I don't have the words really." Also read | FIFA sanctions Lionel Messi's Argentina, five other nations for racist abuse by fans But the former England Under-21s international said he did not feel under extra pressure, adding: "I just play football with a smile on my face." Spence's faith is a major part of his identity and is something he frequently acknowledges on social media. "First things first, God is the greatest," he said. "I pray a lot. I give gratitude to God. "In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I've always believed that God has always been by my side. "When I'm winning, when I'm in a good moment, I promote God as well because he's always been by my side. It's a big thing for me, my faith." Spence's rise has been a slow one. After impressing in the Championship for Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest, he moved to Premier League Tottenham in 2022. But he initially struggled to make an impression under former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, and spent time on loan at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa. The defender only made his full Spurs debut in December, two-and-a-half years after he joined the club in what proved a breakthrough campaign that culminated in Europa League glory. He came on as a substitute in the Bilbao final, having initially been omitted from Ange Postecoglou's group-stage squad earlier in the season. "Without (a strong) mentality, you won't make it to the top," said Spence. "I definitely think I have got a strong mentality, especially to fight through challenges." "I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong," he added. Now the full-back hopes to inspire others. "If I can do it, you can do it," he said. "Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it." England face Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday before travelling to play Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. Tuchel's men are top of Group K with three wins from three matches so far. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The 25-year-old defender was one of two new faces included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Spurs defender Spence on brink of history as first Muslim England player

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FIFA 2026 | 'Painful but luckily I play with my feet': Spence, with broken jaw, ready to go the extra mile for England at World Cup

Spurs defender Spence on brink of history as first Muslim England player