Men in masks have become infrequently familiar sights on the pitches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including Ballon d'Or nominee Son Heung-min, who of South Korea's run to their Round of 16 exit against Brazil, despite fracturing an eye socket in November.Belgium defender Thomas Meunier featured for Belgium while sharing the pain of a cheekbone fracture with fellow mask-wearer and Tunisia stalwart Ellyes Skhiri.Masks have become commonplace to provide limited protection to players suffering from often-gruesome facial J.J. Jansen Jersey injuries acro s recent years, and Son's quick adaptation to the headwear was an example of how the measure appears to have become an easier one for players, as the technology used to create the masks has improved.The player who is arguably Croatia's most promising talent has gone furthest at the finals while wearing a mask. Here's why Josko Gvardiol is donning one, and the rules around them.MORE: RB Leipzig defender Gvardiolshowed admirable good humor while sharing a photo of a huge dark swelling under his right eye and over his eyelid after playing for his German Carolina Panthers Hats club in November."You should see the other guy," the 20-year-old said on Instagram, describing an injury that caused Sasa Jankovic, the doctor of the Croatian national team, to discu s the matter with his counterparts at the Bundesliga club."We have no reason to worry because Josko will be able to train and play normally from the first day of the national team gathering while, of course, wearing a mask," said Jankovic."We also heard from Josko, who already felt fine that same evening. Although its an unpleasant blow, we dont need to worry about Josko in the context of the World Cup."Batman and Robin Joko Gvardiol (FAN) (@GvardioI) Unlucky Gvardiol broke his nose and injured his face and eyes when he collided with teammate Willi Orban in a match in early November."Apart from his broken nose, everything is fine," RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose said at the time. "Now we have to see if he can play with a mask, but hes otherwise Sean Chandler Jersey making a good impre sion."We will see how he copes with the workload and a se s whether he's in pain when he's working intensively.It was good news for Rose, as Gvardiol was available for Leipzig's subsequent 2-1 win over Werder Bremen in their final game before domestic action paused for the World Cup. That result extended the club's run to six succe sive victories in Carolina Panthers Hoodies Sweatshirts the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. the aftermath of the accident, I wonder how Willi Orban's head is feeling? Joko Gvardiol (FAN) (@GvardioI) Gvardiol played every minute of the latter four games of Leipzig's group-stage campaign in the Champions League, scoring in a win over Real Madrid to help his team finish a point behind the reigning champions, as the Germans qualified for the knockout phase of the competition.The Dinamo Zagreb youth product has also been ever-present for Croatia in Qatar so far, as the 2018 World Cup finalists made it all the way to the semifinals before they were beaten by Argentina. The guidance from rule-making governing body theInternational Football A sociation Board (IFAB) cla ses facemasks as permitted non-dangerous protective equipment, citing knee and arm protectors, goalkeepers' caps and sports spectacles as other examples of on-pitch equipment that are allowed. masks are fine, as long as they consist of "soft, lightweight padded material", adding that head covers must be black orthe same main shade as the relevant team's shirt.The masks are made from materials such as polycarbonate, according to the , which says that some are 3D printed to exactly fit a scan of the contours of each player's face.That report adds that Tottenham forward Son's mask, Clay Johnston Jersey which he may need again when Spurs resume their Premier League fixtures at Brentford on December 26, is made of carbon fiber. (Getty Images)