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Players wear jaw braces during ongoing World Cup matches

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 2, 2026, 9:29 PM

Last updated Jul 2, 2026

Players wear jaw braces during ongoing World Cup matches

Summary

At the 2026 World Cup, players like Austria's Stefan Posch and England's Djed Spence utilize custom-fit jaw braces to continue competing after injuries. Spence, who fractured his jaw, opted for the brace instead of surgery to remain in the tournament. He and Posch are noteworthy for their protective gear during matches. Posch had to adjust quickly after his injury in Austria's opening match against Jordan. Austria's journey continues as they face challenges in the knockout stage, having lost to Spain in their latest match.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Stefan Posch and Djed Spence wear jaw braces at the World Cup.
•Spence suffered a fractured jaw and opted for a brace to participate.
•Posch returned swiftly after an injury in Austria's opening match.
•Austria lost to Spain 3-0, concluding Posch's tournament.
•England's next match is against Mexico in the round of 16.

Latest Updates

9:29 PMYahoo Sports — Jaw brace headgear is keeping injured players on the field at the World Cup: What to know

What they're saying

"
In a sport of headers and constant collisions, a fractured jaw would seem like a tournament-ending injury. Austria defender Stefan Posch and England defender Djed Spence stand out on the field for the black jaw braces they have been wearing in matches. Frances’ Kylian Mbappé wore a face mask during the 2024 European Championship after breaking his nose in the opening match.
— Yahoo Sportsby JIM VERTUNO

Related Teams & Leagues

Euros Soccer