Thomas Tuchel makes special request to England squad in crucial step of World Cup preparation

May 31, 2026 - 22:30

Thomas Tuchel has reportedly advised his England players on where to travel for their holidays ahead of the World Cup.

The majority of the Three Lions squad will arrive in Florida for a pre-tournament training camp on Monday.

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, reacts on the sidelines during the international friendly match between England and Japan — Tuchel has made a special request to his England squad ahead of the World Cup

It comes ahead of friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica to prepare for the finals.

Special request

However, Tuchel has made a further request to his squad in order to help them acclimatise for the tournament.

According to BBC Sport, the England boss has asked his players to holiday in US time zones.

The Three Lions will be based in Kansas City, Missouri and play their opening match against Croatia in Dallas.

Both cities have a six-hour time difference to the UK, with Boston and New Jersey, where their remaining group games are, five hours behind.

Temperatures are also expected to exceed 26 degrees Celsius for most matches during the World Cup.

It is understood several members of the England squad have holidayed in the USA and Caribbean since the end of their club campaigns.

England preparations

Tuchel will be joined in Florida by 21 members of his 26-man squad on Monday.

Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Dean Henderson will join the group at a later date.

The group have been handed an extended break after featuring in European finals during the last week.

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, speaks with his players as they take a drinks' break during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Serbia and England — Tuchel advised his England players to holiday in US time zones ahead of the tournament

Meanwhile, Alex Scott, Jason Steele, Rio Ngumoha, Josh King and Ethan Nwaneri will attend the pre-tournament training camp in Florida.

Tuchel’s side will face New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, June 6 in the first of their two warm-up matches.

They will then take on Costa Rica four days later in Orlando.

The Three Lions kick off their group stage campaign against 2018 finalists Croatia on Wednesday, June 17.

Tuchel is yet to lose a competitive match since taking charge at the start of 2025.

His side won all eight of their World Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal.

England's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between England and Serbia — Saka and his Arsenal teammates will join up with the squad at a later date

However, they have yet to win a match this year after a draw and a defeat against Uruguay and Japan, respectively, in March.

The World Cup will mark Tuchel’s first major tournament as England boss, with his contract running until the end of Euro 2028.

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