ngland take on Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday in their final friendly before beginning their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel has named a strong starting lineup for the match, with Jordan Pickford in goal.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Myles Lewis-Skelly start in defence, while Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford support captain Harry Kane in attack.
Why Is Djed Spence Wearing a Face Mask?
One notable figure on the England squad is Djed Spence, who will be seen wearing a protective face mask during the World Cup.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender is currently recovering from a fractured jaw suffered in May 2026 following a collision with Liam Delap. Although the injury does not prevent him from playing, it requires several months to heal fully.
Under FIFA regulations, players are allowed to wear lightweight protective equipment, including face masks, as long as it does not pose a danger to themselves or other players. As a result, Spence will continue wearing a custom-made mask throughout the World Cup.
The defender recently explained the situation and admitted that adapting to the mask has taken some time.
“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. I’ve been wearing it in training, getting used to it in the heat and just trying to fit in it properly, break it in.”
The injury is expected to take around three months to heal completely, meaning the mask will remain part of Spence’s matchday equipment for the duration of England’s World Cup campaign.