Djed Spence is set to start for England in their critical World Cup knockout match. Manager Thomas Tuchel has named the Tottenham Hotspur defender as his right-back for the Round of 32 fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 1.
The selection comes as a direct result of injuries to established defenders Reece James and Jarell Quansah. Spence, who made his senior international debut less than a year ago in September 2025, has rapidly ascended to a starter's role on the sport's biggest stage. He is also the first Muslim player to represent the senior England men’s team.
His versatility on both sides of the defense proved crucial as Tuchel’s staff dealt with a compounding injury crisis. Training sessions leading up to the match reportedly confirmed Spence as the clear choice for the position.