2026 World Cup: England won’t adapt style in US heat, says Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel says he is “not ready to adapt” to England playing at the World Cup as it will “remove” his squad’s strengths.

Since taking over as head coach in January 2025, Tuchel has spoken of how much he loves the physicality of England’s domestic football and that the national team must replicate this style.

With that in mind, the 52-year-old’s squad selected 26 players for the tournament, focusing on physicality and strong running.

“They want to be active on the ball,” the German told BBC Sport of his England squad ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday (21:00 BST).

“We have a young team, we have a brave team, we have a brave group of players.

“So let’s go for it. I mean, nobody guarantees you’re going to win. So we want to at least try it, our strategy and our belief.”

Temperatures in the USA, Mexico and Canada are very high and mandatory wet breaks have been introduced in all matches, effectively dividing them into quarters.

And speaking at a news conference ahead of the Croatia match, Tuchel said the water cut “can change the character of each half”.

He acknowledged that the three-minute intervals give coaches a chance to “change and reset” by delivering “team messages” during games.

Temperatures in Dallas will top 30C when England play their opening Group L game – but the temperature will drop because the Dallas Stadium is one of the air-conditioned indoor venues that will be used at this World Cup.

And starting the tournament at that stadium has led Tuchel to believe his side can impose their style on Croatia “because we are playing them at home”.

But the England boss cited the impact of the heat on his players at their Kansas City training base.

“Yesterday, even here in training, it was very hot,” said Tuchel.

“And for example, we can feel that it has more influence than today. So let’s see.

I’m not ready to adapt to a different style of football because of situations we can’t influence. I think we’ll lose our strength.

Tuchel came to the USA for last year’s Club Cup and, with the support team at the Football Association, used that tournament to plan England’s World Cup preparations.

“The study at the Club World Cup showed us that the pattern is similar, but the frequency may be lower,” he said.

“So maybe a player with 10 to 15% less runs, less distance. It (conditions) affected the tone and weight, but not so much the style of play.

“Ultimately, we must have an answer for every situation.

“So are we going to have more possession or are we going to attack the opposition’s final third a lot? Do they push us back and do we have to defend deep? We have to have an answer for everything.”