As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, England manager Thomas Tuchel is considering unconventional strategies to help his team cope with the sweltering heat expected during the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup draw in Washington D.C., Tuchel suggested that he may keep his substitutes in the dressing room during matches to protect them from extreme temperatures and ensure they are at their best when called upon later in the game.

 

“If this helps our substitutes make a greater impact when they come on, we have to see it as an option,” Tuchel told news reporters. While he admitted that he would prefer to have players on the sidelines to feel the energy from the bench, he acknowledged that the extreme heat could force a rethink. “Nobody likes it because I want the players to be out there to feel the energy and give us energy from the bench. But I saw players doing this at the Club World Cup. Hopefully, we can avoid it, but we’ll see how it goes.”

 

The 2026 World Cup, set to be held across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will take place during the hot summer months of June and July, raising concerns about the potential impact of heat on both players and fans. Experts warn that soaring temperatures, wildfires, and even hurricanes could complicate the tournament, posing significant challenges for teams and stadium workers.

 

According to a recent Pitches in Peril report, compiled by advocacy groups Football for the Future and Common Goal, 10 of the 16 venues scheduled for the tournament are at “very high risk” of experiencing extreme heat stress conditions. The report’s findings highlight the dangers that high temperatures could pose, especially considering the intense physical demands of top-level football.

 

Tuchel, reflecting on his experience managing during last summer’s Club World Cup, spoke about the toll extreme heat can take on players. “It’s an issue for high-level football—it will reduce the intensity of the matches,” he said. “It will limit the number of intensive runs, both offensively and defensively. The match and the strategy will naturally adapt. You cannot play the same football in 45°C as you would in 21°C.”

 

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Despite the challenges, Tuchel is confident that his team will be ready. “We need to adapt and prepare the players as best as we can. We’re working on cooling systems and other strategies. We’ve put a lot of effort into this, and we will be ready when the tournament starts,” he added.

 

Alongside concerns about the heat, the unique scheduling of the tournament and the vast distances between stadiums also present logistical challenges. Tuchel acknowledged the potential for delays due to thunderstorms

and other unpredictable weather events. “We have to be prepared to accept difficulties. It will be hot, humid, and there will be a lot of travel. We can’t control everything, so it’s more about mindset than having a solution for every problem,” he concluded.

 

With the clock ticking down to the 2026 World Cup, England’s preparations are in full swing, and Tuchel’s focus remains on ensuring his team is as prepared as possible for the physical and environmental challenges they will face.

 

Source: Punch