England battle with the warmth in first coaching session earlier than World Cup
The Three Lions appeared to battle with the sweltering heat and humidity in their first training stint in Florida, with boss Thomas Tuchel predicting that temperatures will be one of “many challenges” faced
England will have to handle the heat if they are to succeed in North America
Training for England’s bid for World Cup bid glory across the pond is officially underway and Thomas Tuchel’s men were thrown straight into the deep end, battling massive humidity and boiling heat.
The Three Lions completed their first training session on American soil after touching down in Florida on Tuesday, with temperatures soaring to a blistering 32C while they warmed up for their opening games.
The squad are currently based at the luxury Belgrove Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, where they will stay before eventually heading to their tournament camp in Kansas City later this month, and England’s stars quickly discovered one of the biggest challenges awaiting them in North America: the sweltering heat and humidity.
The heat is something new boss Thomas Tuchel admitted could prove a major hurdle to get over at this tournament.
Speaking before their departure, the German said: “I can’t wait to get on the plane, look over my shoulder, finally have a team behind me and arrive in Florida and do what I love the most, which is be a coach.”
“The conditions are not our biggest enemy but it is not to our advantage. We are not used to being in this kind of heat and humidity, and even altitude if we play in Mexico.
“There will be a lot of challenges in this World Cup. The heat is one of them, but we are prepared already. We’ve had help from Team GB and specialists all over the world to come up with solutions that help the players adapt.”
Most of Tuchel’s 26-man squad were involved in the open community training session, although Arsenal stars Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, plus Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, are still enjoying a break after appearing in European finals.
A handful of youngsters have also joined the travelling party, including Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, Fulham forward Josh King and recent Marseille loanee and Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri.
England are set to face New Zealand in Tampa Bay on Saturday before taking on Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10 in what will be their final warm-up match before the tournament proper begins.
After their Florida stay, the Three Lions will move to Kansas City, although none of their World Cup fixtures will actually be played there.
Instead, England will kick off their campaign against 2018 heartbreakers Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, before clashes with Ghana in Foxborough on June 23 and Panama in New Jersey to round off the group stage.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
