Jordan Henderson Prepares England for World Cup Heat

Jordan Henderson is urging his England teammates to get used to the intense Florida heat to prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026. With most of the squad already in the United States, five players, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, are set to join this week. The team is training in Florida to adjust to the expected high temperatures, which reached 32°C during their first session in West Palm Beach. Studies indicate that up to a quarter of the World Cup matches may be played in temperatures exceeding 26°C. England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, has advised players to spend time in the U.S. after the domestic season to adjust to the heat and time zone differences. Forward Marcus Rashford was among those who followed this advice. Henderson, preparing for his seventh major tournament, highlighted the significance of building resilience to these conditions. "It's about building capacity and getting used to the heat," said the midfielder. "The warm-up games will help, and we have a great support team to aid in recovery and cooling down." England's World Cup journey begins against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, followed by matches against Ghana and Panama. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo noted the squad's efforts to quickly acclimatize, stating the importance of feeling at home in such conditions. "It's about getting used to the heat and humidity," he added. "Everyone's working hard to ensure we're ready for the tournament."