Harry Kane has expressed confidence that England’s players will cope with the extreme heat expected at the 2026 World Cup after gaining valuable experience in similar conditions at the Club World Cup in America.
The England captain scored as Bayern Munich defeated Boca Juniors in Miami on Friday, where temperatures reached approximately 30 degrees Celsius.
With the 2026 tournament set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Kane believes the current exposure to American weather conditions will prove beneficial for England’s squad.
The striker emphasised that adapting to challenging climates is an essential part of international football, particularly with warnings that temperatures could pose significant challenges during next summer’s competition.
Harry Kane is confident England will find ways to cope with the extreme heat
PA
“I’m not concerned. It’s part and parcel of football. You have to be able to adapt. It’s a great experience for me and some of the other England guys who are playing this year and who will be playing next summer,” Kane told Mail Sport.
The Bayern Munich striker highlighted the unique nature of competing in such conditions, stating: “When you come off that pitch and you’re sweating and you’re dripping and you’re cramping and you’ve given everything out there, there’s a special feeling inside, especially when you win.”
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Kane revealed plans for England players to share their experiences from the Club World Cup. “We (the players) are not in touch with each other right now but it’s something we’ll talk about at upcoming camps – how we all adapted to it and what training methods we used,” he said.
Bayern’s victory in Miami came as temperatures soared to around 30 degrees, with Michael Olise scoring a late winner after Miguel Merentiel had equalised for Boca Juniors.
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Harry Kane has been playing in the American heat during the Club World Cup
Reuters
The heat is expected to intensify significantly, with campaign group Fossil Free Football warning that 10 Club World Cup matches scheduled for next week face either major or extreme heat risk.
Temperatures could potentially reach 41 degrees Celsius during this period, providing a stark preview of conditions England players might encounter at the 2026 World Cup.
Research has indicated that temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums designated for the 2026 tournament could exceed “potentially dangerous levels” during the competition.
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Kane stressed that England must transform these challenging experiences into competitive advantages for next summer’s tournament.
England manager Thomas Tuchel, who observed the Miami match, has acknowledged the significant challenges posed by extreme heat at the 2026 World Cup.
“It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” said Tuchel. “I will see that. And how it looks and we need to understand how to cool the players down, to drink and what our options are.”
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the World Cup will be one of suffering for the players
Reuters
The England boss drew on his previous experience in America, adding: “I have done pre-season there in Orlando and I will be very surprised if we do not suffer. Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup.”
Tuchel’s comments last month underscore the importance of developing comprehensive strategies to manage player welfare in extreme temperatures during the tournament.
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