Tuchel must slow England down or humidity will decide their World Cup fate, warns ex-USA defender

Thomas Tuchel will need to rethink how England play at World Cup 2026 if they are to cope with the punishing heat and humidity of their North American venues, according to former United States international Matt Besler. The ex-Sporting KC defender, who earned 47 caps for the US Men’s National Team and holds the club’s all-time appearance record, says the conditions are a genuine tactical concern — not just a talking point.

England have already taken steps to prepare, travelling to Miami for a warm-weather training camp ahead of the tournament in an attempt to acclimatise. Rain proved the bigger nuisance during their warm-up match against Costa Rica, but their group-stage fixtures in Boston and New York, along with their training base in Kansas City, carry the real threat of stifling summer humidity.

“I do, I do, I do,” Besler told Mirror Football when asked whether the conditions would affect England. “I want to be a little careful because it annoys me as a player when the weather becomes too big a talking point. It’s like, ‘Come on, let’s get on with the game. It’s the same for both teams.’ But it is a factor for sure. Humidity is difficult to play in. You will have to change your approach a little bit.”

Besler believes the conditions could favour South American sides over their European counterparts. “It changes the game. Sometimes you have to slow it down. I’m curious to see how it affects some of the European teams compared to the South American teams. They’re used to that type of climate. Their style of play maybe fits that a little bit. But the humidity here is real and it’s something that the players are going to have to battle.”

Kansas City-based journalist and MLS commentator Nate Bukaty reinforced that assessment, painting a vivid picture of what England’s base camp will feel like in June. “Our phrase is, ‘If you don’t like the weather in Kansas City, just wait a minute,’” he said. “Usually, it’s going to change. Typically, in June, it’s going to be hot and muggy. There will sometimes be some massive thunderstorms that’ll come through. They don’t usually last that long. So, it’s going to be hot and muggy — that’s more likely than not.”

The warnings add a fresh layer of complexity to Tuchel’s preparations. England’s preferred high-tempo, pressing style could be the first casualty of the American summer if the manager does not find a way to adapt.