Reece James experienced the brutal heat and humidity of the United States' summer during the Club World Cup with Chelsea and has called upon FIFA to make changes to the World Cup
Reece James played the full 90 minutes of Chelsea's Champions League draw with Qarabag
Reece James is concerned about the heat at the World Cup(Image: (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images))
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Reece James has delivered a World Cup heat warning and admitted it will be “super difficult” for England to win the trophy.
James had to cope with scorching 40 degree temperatures last summer when Chelsea won the Club World Cup in the United States. Chelsea captain James also warned the pitches were substandard and said games were played when it was “hot and humid” because of the kick-off times.
But James admitted it will leave England at a major disadvantage and there will be huge obstacles to overcome for Thomas Tuchel to win the World Cup. The England defender said: “It’s super difficult conditions to play in that heat, especially us playing in England - there’s not anything like that before.
“You feel the heat the minute you step outside the hotel. The conditions are super hot, they are difficult conditions to play in and the pitches when we were there weren’t the greatest either and made it a little bit harder.
“That’s been a key message: that the conditions will be tough in the middle of the summer in America, and everyone is aware of that. We’re trying to prepare as best we can for that. Later kick-offs when it’s not so hot and humid, that would definitely help. For sure. That would definitely help.”
England boss Tuchel has already made plans for a warm weather training base in Florida - they are set to use David Beckham’s Inter Miami facilities - plus also two friendlies in the United States. But the plans could be disrupted if England players are involved in the Champions League final on May 30, which is just 11 days before the World Cup starts.
James is hoping warm weather training next summer could make it easier but also revealed that he has never been asked by football’s authorities what his view is on the heat and conditions facing players.
Delap #9 of Chelsea FC sprays water on his face during a hydration break during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Esperance de Tunis and Chelsea
Hydration breaks at the Club World Cup didn't help players cope with the heat much
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He added: “No, I haven’t been asked about my thoughts on kick-off times. I’m sure they will have asked someone. Maybe managers or people at the clubs. I’m sure they will have got some feedback.
“Warm-weather training camps would help. We finished last season with not much time. We didn’t have time to go away to warm weather, so it was kind of just: finish the Premier League and go to 40-degree heat.
“There was no real time to adapt where, hopefully this season, going into the World Cup, the team will have the opportunity to be exposed to heat and different climates. That will hopefully help us prepare better.
“Once you are out there you adapt the longer you are there, when you are settled in once place and try to limit the things you can.”
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