Djed Spence Makes History as First Muslim Player for England's Senior Team
Djed Spence's recent appearance as a substitute for England in their World Cup qualifying match against Serbia marks a significant achievement, not only for him personally but for the entire Muslim community.
The 25-year-old Tottenham full-back has become the first Muslim to represent the senior England men's football team, a milestone that has garnered attention across the nation and beyond.
For Spence, who frequently shares religious messages on his social media, his faith is a central aspect of his life and his approach to the game. "It’s a blessing—just amazing. I don’t have the words really," he expressed during the lead-up to the match. "I pray a lot—I give gratitude to God. In the toughest moments of my life, I’ve always believed that God has been by my side. It’s a big thing for me, my faith."
What does Spence's achievement signify for the broader Muslim community in the UK? "It’s a moment of celebration for British Muslims," says Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, an organization that supports over 400 Muslim athletes with faith advice and professional counseling. "Djed carries a significant responsibility; he is not only playing for England but also for Muslims worldwide, as he is now viewed as a role model breaking barriers."
Spence's visible faith, both in his social media presence and on the pitch when he prays, makes him a relatable figure for young Muslim players. Yunus Lunat, a grassroots coach and former chair of the Football Association's race equality advisory board, remarked, "It is great that he is comfortable visibly professing and celebrating his faith. Every young Muslim player I’ve encountered as a coach in this country aspires to play for England. No other nation, just England—that’s it."
Nujum Sports estimates that approximately 250 Muslim players are currently active in the four professional English leagues. While some British-born Muslim players have made strides through the England youth ranks, few have achieved full caps at the elite level. Notable examples include former Fulham and QPR defender Zesh Rehman, who played for England up to under-20 level before representing Pakistan, and Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who made seven appearances for the U21s before choosing to represent Bangladesh this year.
However, with Muslims constituting 6% of the UK population, representation in football remains disproportionately low compared to sports like cricket. Lunat adds, "We just haven’t had enough Muslim players coming through. There haven’t been enough opportunities or role models for aspiring young players to follow. Issues with scouts not being present in the right areas have resulted in talented young Muslim players being overlooked."
Yorkshireman Nathan Ellington, who converted to Islam later in his career, explained, "When you first become Muslim, you navigate new practices and changes. Sometimes, people in football clubs don’t understand the religion and may view it negatively. However, with time, they can learn that it’s not that different; players just need some adjustments, such as certain foods and time for prayer."
Spence has thrived under the management of Thomas Frank at Tottenham. Riz Rehman, Zesh’s brother and a player inclusion executive for the Professional Footballers' Association, shared, "We worked with Thomas Frank, sports scientists, nutritionists, and doctors at Brentford to discuss Islam and how the club can best support its Muslim players. It’s challenging when players are fasting during Ramadan and playing, but with proper support, it can be managed. We also talk to clubs about providing prayer spaces and understanding players’ faith as much as possible. It’s all about education."
The opportunity to change perceptions is one reason Ellington believes Spence's inclusion in the England squad will have positive repercussions. "Sometimes, people treat you as if you don’t conform to the 'normal' way of being a footballer—you can feel like an outsider. It’s great to see that it doesn’t matter what your background is; he was selected for the top level based on his performance on the pitch. Many Muslims will feel proud of him—I certainly do."
Spence's debut comes at a time when Islamophobia and discrimination are on the rise in the UK. A recent report from Tell Mama highlighted that anti-Muslim hate incidents have more than doubled compared to the previous year, with a noted "surge in rhetoric portraying Muslims as terrorists or sympathizers" amid ongoing global conflicts. The UK government acknowledged the findings as "extremely concerning." A 2022 study from the University of Birmingham indicated that 26% of the UK populace harbors negative feelings towards Muslims.
Rahman commented, "The past few years have been particularly challenging for Muslim athletes globally. Thus, when we achieve a victory like this, it’s essential to celebrate it, as we don’t know when the next positive event will occur. Some may argue to keep religion or politics out of football, but they are intertwined. Players should be recognized for who they are, regardless of their faith, whether Muslim, Christian, or otherwise."
With around four million Muslims residing in the UK, historical participation in football has been low, and the notion of a Muslim player reaching the senior national team seemed unrealistic for many. Rahman reflects, "Growing up in East London in the early 1990s was not easy. I never imagined we would have a British-born Muslim footballer representing the England national team. It is crucial for young men and women in sports to feel encouraged to be themselves."