England’s national football team is ramping up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a unique and intense way-by training inside heated tents.
With the tournament set to be held across the USA, Canada, and Mexico next summer, there are growing concerns about the extreme temperatures players will face. England manager Thomas Tuchel is wasting no time in addressing the issue head-on.
The team is currently based in Girona, Spain, where they’ve begun simulating the North American climate. The training setup includes heated tents that mimic the kind of sweltering conditions expected in cities like Miami and Los Angeles. Players are doing fitness tests on exercise bikes inside these tents, followed by detailed recovery analysis to see how their bodies react to the heat.
Tuchel isn’t taking any chances. He’s planning a scouting trip to the United States to get a firsthand look at conditions during the mid-afternoon heat-the time when many World Cup matches will likely be played. “It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” Tuchel said. “I will see that. How it looks, and we need to understand how to cool the players down, to drink. What our options are.”
Experts have already flagged that 14 out of the 16 stadiums set to host games could experience “potentially dangerous” heat levels during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19. This has made climate adaptation a top priority for Tuchel and his staff.
The England boss is drawing on his experience, having previously held pre-season training in Orlando. “I will be very surprised if we do not suffer,” he added. “Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup.”
The squad’s unusual training method comes just ahead of two key matches this month — a World Cup qualifier against Andorra and a friendly against Senegal. The games will not only help refine tactics but also test players’ endurance in high-stress conditions.
Hydration plans, recovery protocols, and heat resistance training are all part of the bigger picture. Tuchel knows that success in the 2026 World Cup will depend as much on physical preparation as tactical execution.
This early investment in simulating real match environments shows just how serious England is about contending for the title. While training in a tent under the Spanish sun might sound extreme, it could be the edge they need in what promises to be one of the most physically demanding tournaments in recent memory.
England’s heated tent sessions are more than just a training gimmick-they’re a statement of intent. As the countdown to 2026 begins, it’s clear the team is sweating the small stuff, literally and figuratively.
