Reece James, defender for Chelsea FC and member of the England national football team squad, has issued a stark warning about the harsh conditions his team will face at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Drawing on his experience during the summer’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, where he encountered a punishing heatwave in Philadelphia and thunderstorms in Charlotte, James said:
“You feel the heat the minute you step outside the hotel… It’s super difficult conditions to play in that heat. Especially for us playing in England, there’s not anything like that before.”
The 2026 tournament will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, spanning 16 host cities including some known for intense summer temperatures—such as Dallas, Houston, Miami and Monterrey—with June/July highs regularly exceeding 33 °C (91 °F).
James emphasised key preparation factors:
- Adapting to the climate by arriving early and settling in one location.
- Scheduling later kick-offs when heat and humidity have subsided.
- Coping with pitch quality challenges which added to the difficulty.
England’s management is reportedly planning a warm-weather training camp in Florida as part of the build-up.
James’s warning serves as a reminder that beyond tactics and skill, environmental factors may play a significant role in determining performances at the 2026 World Cup. With less experience in such extreme heat compared to many international competitors, England are gearing up for a test of both strength and stamina.
