Djed Spence is getting his moment. England manager Thomas Tuchel has named the Tottenham Hotspur defender as his starting right-back for the Round of 32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for July 1.
It is not the circumstance anyone would have scripted. Spence is stepping into the role because both Reece James and Jarell Quansah are injured and unavailable. But that is the thing about football at this level: opportunity rarely arrives cleanly wrapped.
How Spence got here
Spence only received his first senior England call-up in August 2025. He made his debut for the national team in September 2025, making his path from first cap to World Cup starter a remarkably compressed one.
He has also made history along the way, becoming the first Muslim player to represent the senior England men’s team.
