England told brutal effects of USA heat and their World Cup-defining match

Joe Cole has issued England’s players with a stark warning as they prepare to battle the heat at the World Cup.

With just eight days to go until the Three Lions kick-off their campaign at the North America-hosted tournament, work has already begun to help their stars acclimatise to the sweltering conditions.

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Thomas Tuchel‘s side touched down in Florida on Monday, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius in their opening training sessions.

England will remain there ahead of friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica, before moving on to their base in Kansas City.

The heat has been highlighted as one of the biggest challenges the Three Lions will face at this summer’s World Cup – which is being held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Studies have shown that nearly a quarter of all World Cup games are likely to be played in temperatures higher than 26 degrees Celsius.

England have been drawn into Group L, where they will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

As a result, Tuchel’s side are guaranteed to play matches in Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey – where temperatures are expected to range from anywhere between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius.

If the Three Lions win their group, they will then play in Atlanta before potential trips to Mexico City and Miami.

‘Horrendous’

One man who knows all too well just how energy-sapping the US heat can be is ex-England midfielder Cole, who spent the last two years of his professional career at USL Championship outfit the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Sharing the physical toll the weather took on his body, Cole told talkSPORT Drive: “At the elite level, what is it going to do?

“When you first go out there, the humidity hits you. My first game, I came off it and I’d lost about nearly a stone in weight in water. 

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“It was horrendous. You’re drained. I don’t know what it was, they measured it in kilograms. 

“But it felt just like I was drained for days and you have to play at a slower pace.”

Having warned of the impact of the heat on England’s players, Cole insisted Tuchel may well have to adapt his playing style, as he insisted a possession-based style will make the conditions more bearable.

He continued: “Hence the reason I say having the ball and having good possession [will be key].

“You don’t get tired when you’ve got the ball, it’s when you’re chasing.”

Reiterating the role the heat will play, Cole added: “It’s going to be a big [factor]. It’s going to be massive.”

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Cole: England among 12 favourites

While England head into the World Cup among the pre-tournament favourites, Cole insisted he would tip several other nations for glory ahead instead, as he highlighted his concerns over Tuchel’s approach.

Asked if he agrees with the favourites tag, he replied: “I think they’re one of 12 teams that can do it. I’d say they’re probably between six and 12, if you said to me now. 

“But I don’t know how Thomas Tuchel’s team is going to set up in a tournament.

“I think everything he’s done up to now is just playing lip service – we know what it’s like with these friendlies leading up. He can’t get to grips with how his team’s going to play now.”

Returning to the role the heat will play, Cole pointed out that the conditions will only become tougher the further England progress.

Should they win their group, the Three Lions will head to Atlanta in the last-32 – where average temperatures in July range between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius – and they would return there for the semi-finals.

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There is also a chance that England could face co-hosts Mexico on home soil in Mexico City in the last-16 if they top the group.

Tuchel’s will return to the USA for their quarter-final tie if they reach the last eight, with the match scheduled for July 11 in Miami Gardens if they win their group – which could see temperatures of up to 30 degrees.

Cole continued: “You have to get lucky with a draw, because we say conditions – playing in Kansas City in the summer is a different challenge to playing somewhere in Canada playing it. 

“We could play Mexico in Mexico City and by the way, if that happens we need to be outstanding to get through that test. 

“So I don’t know [if England can win], is the answer. But you have to say we’ve got a chance with the players we’ve got.”