England squad adapting to sweltering World Cup heat in Florida 2026

England players are preparing for extreme heat at the 2026 World Cup by training early in Florida's high temperatures.

England's Florida training camp Nearly all of England's squad have already landed in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, while five players including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will arrive later in the week. The team has set up base in Florida, a state famous for its intense sunshine, to help players adjust to the oppressive American heat. During their first practice in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, the mercury hit 32 degrees Celsius. Research suggests that nearly one in four matches at the tournament could take place when temperatures exceed 26 degrees. ## Coach's heat preparation strategy The manager advised his players to spend their post-season break in America to help them adapt to the heat and time zone changes. A number of players, including forward Marcus Rashford, followed the guidance by holidaying in the US. England's boss has emphasized the importance of this preparation to ensure the squad can perform under the expected conditions. The squad's medical and performance teams have conducted extensive research into cooling and recovery methods to give players every advantage. ## Henderson stresses heat acclimatization Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, set to compete in his seventh major tournament, stressed the need for England's players to get used to the extreme temperatures. He explained that players must build their tolerance to these conditions, though regional variations in heat and humidity make it challenging to fully adapt. Henderson added that the upcoming warm-up games against New Zealand and Costa Rica will provide valuable exposure. He praised the support staff's efforts to optimize cooling and recovery protocols, hoping these preparations could give England a small competitive edge. ## England's World Cup schedule England's opening match in Group L will be against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas, Texas. The Three Lions are then scheduled to face Ghana on June 23 in Massachusetts before concluding the group stage against Panama on June 27 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. These three matches will serve as the primary test of England's readiness for the American summer conditions. The squad is working hard to get used to the heat and humidity before their first competitive fixture. ## Mainoo on acclimatization efforts Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo said the team was making every effort to adjust as quickly as possible to the conditions. He expressed confidence that the squad would feel comfortable by the time the tournament begins. Mainoo noted that while the heat won't disappear, getting used to its intensity and the accompanying humidity is the main focus. He revealed that many players traveled abroad during their break to experience warmer climates, though the Florida conditions remain uniquely challenging.