Djed Spence Joins England Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is set to return this summer after four years, taking place across North America. The highly anticipated tournament will occur from mid-June in the USA, alongside Mexico and Canada.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has named Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence in his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. The 25-year-old has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season and is preparing for his first-ever World Cup appearance.
Djed Spence only received his first senior call-up last year. He made his debut for the English senior squad in September 2025, playing in a 5–0 victory against Serbia in a World Cup qualifier as a second-half substitute. The Tottenham defender has represented the Three Lions four times to date.
Reward for Being Consistent at Tottenham
While England’s squad may not appear as strong on paper as that of other elite nations, Thomas Tuchel believes he has put together a 26-man group capable of going all the way. The German coach feels that Spence is among the players who can make a significant impact in the prestigious tournament.
Fans have expressed surprise at Spence’s call-up, considering he isn’t an automatic first-choice full-back for a struggling Tottenham side. The 25-year-old has primarily served as a backup to left-back Destiny Udogie under manager Roberto De Zerbi, with Pedro Porro being a regular starter at right-back.
Regarded as one of the fastest players in the England squad, Spence has received praise from Tuchel.
“He was excellent in every single match he played for us. He suffers for the third change of coach at his club,” Tuchel was quoted by the Guardian.
“He brings something to the group that we don’t have in his profile: he loves defending, he loves one-on-one defending, he’s the fastest player in our squad. That makes him a standout full-back for us. He can play both sides.”
With his selection, Spence has become the 33rd Spurs player to be named in an England squad for the World Cup. He stands as the only Tottenham representative in this year’s tournament. His hard work, mentality, resilience, and competitive edge have earned him this opportunity. England will face Croatia (17 June), Ghana (23 June), and Panama (27 June) in Group L, with Spurs fans eager to see Spence seize his moment in his debut World Cup.
As the England international prepares for the tournament, his immediate focus remains on helping Tottenham evade relegation. A point against Everton on the final day of the season will secure their safety, and Spence will be playing with a protective mask following a broken jaw sustained in a collision with Chelsea striker Liam Delap earlier this week.