England's 'cooling tactics'

Besides preparing their tactics, the England team is also racing to adapt to the heat, as many matches at the 2026 World Cup risk exceeding safe temperatures.

The 2026 World Cup hasn't even started yet, but long before that, the England team has already begun a different kind of battle off the pitch. At the biggest football tournament on the planet, the weather is predicted to directly affect the players' health, performance, and even the results of the matches.

Numerous studies indicate that approximately one-quarter of matches risk being played under conditions exceeding safety limits, making the title race an unprecedented test of teams' adaptability.

The weather is one of the biggest challenges for the English players. Photo: Reuters .

Comprehensive response campaign

From the moment he took over the England team, coach Thomas Tuchel identified the weather as one of the biggest challenges at the 2026 World Cup. The tournament, taking place in the summer in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is predicted to have high temperatures and extreme humidity, while some venues in Mexico are located at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level. For a team from England, this is a formidable test.

According to The Guardian , to prepare, the English Football Association enlisted the support of Team GB – the UK's Olympic team – along with a network of sports medicine and health science experts from various countries. The goal was not only to help players "withstand" the harsh weather, but also to help their bodies adapt to it.

For months, the team of experts closely monitored each player's reaction to the high temperatures, from body temperature and dehydration levels to recovery ability and stress tolerance. This data was used to develop individualized training, recovery, and cooling plans for each player.

One of the tools being employed is a specialized "thermal tent" system, according to The Times. This system allows experts to adjust temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels to replicate the competition conditions in World Cup host cities. This technology, typically used in Olympic preparation programs or high-performance marathons, is now part of England's plan.

England national team at their first training session in Florida on June 2nd. Photo: Palm Beach Post .

Alongside training sessions in a simulated environment, players are also subjected to controlled exposure to hot outdoor weather. Sunbathing time, exercise volume, and the amount of water and electrolytes needed are all meticulously calculated to help the body adapt without becoming overloaded.

As June arrived this year, preparations were pushed to a more practical level. According to Reuters , the majority of the England players had arrived in Miami (Florida, USA) for a 10-day training camp. Instead of avoiding the heat, Tuchel proactively took his players to one of the areas with the highest temperatures and humidity in the United States, turning Florida into an "outdoor laboratory" ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Here, the players not only train but also get used to living, recovering, and exercising in high temperatures for extended periods. "We're not used to this kind of hot and humid weather. If we played in Mexico, the altitude would also be another challenge," the German coach admitted.

England's concerns aren't limited to the temperature. Some stadiums in Mexico are located at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level, where lower oxygen levels could cause players to tire more quickly and require longer recovery times after matches.

England's preparations didn't even stop at the training ground. Tuchel said he personally went to the US to watch the Club World Cup to observe how the players reacted to the actual weather conditions. "It was important to see the games in the US, especially the ones that took place in the mid-afternoon in Miami. I wanted to understand what the conditions were like, how the players were cooled down, and what other options we had," he said.

The toughest World Cup in history.

England's caution is not unfounded. New research by the World Weather Attribution group suggests that around 25% of the matches at the 2026 World Cup could be played in temperatures exceeding the safe limits recommended by the World Professional Footballers' Association (FIFPRO). This figure is almost double that of the 1994 World Cup, also held in the United States.

Researchers even estimated that around five matches could take place in weather conditions so severe that postponement or rescheduling might be considered.

According to FIFPRO, cooling measures should be implemented when the WBGT (Weight, Temperature, and Temperature) exceeds 26°C, and postponement of the match should be considered if it exceeds 28°C. In reality, a WBGT of 28°C can be equivalent to approximately 38°C in hot, dry conditions or 30°C in high humidity.

Approximately 25% of the matches at the 2026 World Cup could be played in unsafe temperatures. Photo: Reuters .

Not only players, but hundreds of thousands of fans participating in outdoor cheering areas and football festivals are also at risk of facing similar extreme weather. FIFA says it has developed several contingency plans, from suspending water breaks during matches and enhancing cooling systems to improving medical capacity at stadiums. However, many experts believe that the heat could still significantly alter how matches are played.

When the body has to perform under harsh conditions, players are often forced to reduce the intensity of their workouts to conserve energy. This means the pace of the game may be slower, more cautious, and quite different from what fans are used to seeing in previous World Cups.

Tuchel even suggested that "endurance" would be one of the biggest characteristics of the 2026 World Cup, where teams would not only compete on technical skill but also have to find ways to adapt to harsh weather conditions.

Source: https://znews.vn/chien-thuat-lam-mat-cua-tuyen-anh-post1656557.html