Coach Tuchel considers unprecedented plan at World Cup

Teams will have to compete in harsh weather conditions at the 2026 World Cup.

According to environmental experts, the summer of 2026 in the US, Canada and Mexico could see extreme heat, wildfires and even tropical storms. A recent report by Pitches in Peril found that 10 of the tournament’s 16 stadiums fall into the very high risk category for heat stress.

Facing that risk, coach Tuchel said England are considering the option of leaving substitutes in the dressing room to avoid the heat. "If that helps them stay fit to come on the pitch and make a difference, we have to consider it," he told BBC Sport . "Nobody likes that. I want players sitting out to enjoy the atmosphere and give energy to the team. But I saw that at the FIFA Club World Cup and I hope it doesn't have to be applied."

Coach Tuchel added: "The intensity of movement in both attack and defense is definitely reduced. You cannot play 21 degrees in 45 degrees. The game plan will have to be adjusted. We have to adapt to the heat, to the cooling system, to everything. The team is working to be ready when the tournament starts."

At the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Dortmund and Bayern Munich's substitutes sat in closed rooms as the temperature on the pitch exceeded 30 degrees. In Atletico Madrid's 4-0 loss to PSG, Marcos Llorente described the feeling of playing in 40 degrees and 60% humidity: "My toes hurt, I couldn't stop or accelerate. Europe is not used to playing in such conditions."

Coach Luis Enrique also complained: "The match was completely affected by the weather. This time frame is beautiful for European audiences, but the teams had to endure. It was impossible to maintain high intensity for 90 minutes." Midfielder Vitinha briefly described: "It was so hot that my whole body turned red. Running after the ball was really terrible."

Source: https://znews.vn/hlv-tuchel-tinh-den-phuong-an-chua-tung-co-o-world-cup-post1608794.html