England defender Reece James has urged FIFA to reconsider kick-off times for next year’s World Cup to help players cope with the intense summer heat.
The 2026 tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on 11 June and is expected to take place in high temperatures that could challenge player safety.
James, 25, recently led Chelsea to the Club World Cup title in the US, where players struggled with extreme conditions. His teammate Enzo Fernandez described the heat as “very dangerous” and admitted he felt “dizzy” during matches. “It’s really tough to perform in that kind of weather,” said James. “Coming from England, we’re not used to anything like that.”
Research highlights dangerous conditions
A study by Queen’s University Belfast revealed that 14 of the 16 World Cup venues could face hazardous heat levels during the competition.
Philadelphia, one of the US host cities, experienced a severe heat warning during Chelsea’s training this summer, with temperatures reaching 37°C. Due to humidity levels of around 45%, the conditions felt closer to 45°C.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has said that evening fixtures would be preferable to help players avoid peak heat. “That would definitely make a difference,” James agreed. “Later kick-offs, when it’s cooler, would really help.”
England’s preparation plans
To prepare for the tournament, England will hold a warm-weather camp in Florida to help players adjust to the heat. Assistant coach Anthony Barry confirmed that the team will also create a strategy suited to high-temperature play.
James said he has not been contacted directly by FIFA about match scheduling after the Club World Cup but believes officials have sought input from clubs and managers.
FIFA is expected to arrange games featuring major European teams to begin after midnight UK time, similar to the Club World Cup format. Matches during that tournament started at 17:00, 20:00, 23:00, and 02:00 BST.
Adjusting to conditions
“The moment you step outside the hotel, you feel how hot it is,” James said. “It takes time to get used to it, but once you’ve settled, it gets easier.”
He added that playing surfaces during the Club World Cup were far from ideal, which made matches more demanding. “Hopefully by the time the World Cup comes around, things will have improved,” he said.
England will next face Serbia at Wembley on Thursday before travelling to Albania for their following match on Sunday.
