The injury is expected to take three months to heal, but Spence has not treated it as a reason to step away. He first wore the mask during Tottenham Hotspur’s final league game and says it is uncomfortable, though his determination to remain involved has never wavered.
His inclusion ahead of Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw represents a significant vote of confidence from Tuchel. Spence endured a turbulent domestic campaign at Tottenham, with three managers taking charge during a difficult season, but his international progress has continued.
He also made an immediate impression in England’s warm-up schedule, setting up Harry Kane’s winner against New Zealand before making his World Cup debut.
England’s friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando gives Tuchel an opportunity to assess his squad before the opening match against Croatia. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have now linked up with the group, adding further depth and attacking quality.
For Spence, the game could provide another chance to show that the mask will not limit his movement or confidence. England will want a controlled performance, but the full-back’s availability is already a positive storyline.
Spence’s playful exchange with Arsenal on social media has added some background noise to the camp. Arsenal had previously posted a clip of him being dispossessed with the caption “locked up”, before Spence responded after their Champions League final defeat.
Asked whether there would be any response from Arsenal players in camp, Spence insisted there would be “no jokes” for now. The focus, he made clear, is on England’s preparations.
Costa Rica will be the next checkpoint, but Croatia is the match that truly matters. Spence’s mask may be impossible to ignore, yet England will hope his performances make it a footnote rather than the defining image of his tournament.