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Why Thomas Tuchel may leave England substitutes in dressing room during matches at 2026 FIFA World Cup


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Intense heat could have a massive impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
Research conducted by Queen’s University Belfast has found that, at 14 of the 16 host stadiums, temperatures could exceed a potentially dangerous level of 28°C.
There have been plenty of ideas on how to cope with the testing weather conditions, with Chelsea and England star Reece James previously suggesting that games should start later in the day.
However, now Thomas Tuchel has revealed how he will help his players cope with the heat when the tournament gets underway on June 11.

Tuchel said that he may ask England’s substitutes to stay in the dressing room while they wait to come off the bench during the tournament in a bid to avoid the sun.

The bizarre tactic was adopted by German giants Borussia Dortmund during their 4-3 win against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns at the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
“If this is what helps us later in matches when they come on, we have to consider it a possibility,” he told BBC Sport.
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“Nobody likes it because I want the players to be out there to feel the energy and give us energy from the bench onto the field.

“But I saw players doing this at the Club World Cup. Hopefully, we can avoid it. It’s always better when they can be with us outside.”

England qualified for the World Cup after recording eight wins from eight in their UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.

That helped them finish top of Group K, 10 points clear of second-place side Albania.

Tuchel has emphasised the importance of dealing with the heat, insisting that his side cannot play with the same intensity they would in more favourable conditions.

“It’s an issue for high-level football – it will reduce the intensity of the matches,” Tuchel added.

“It will reduce the amount of intensive runs, offensively and defensively.

“The match and the plan will naturally adapt. You cannot play the same football in 45°C than in 21°C.

“We need to adapt and prepare the players as good as possible.

“We need to adapt to the heat, to cooling systems, and we’re on it. We’ve put a lot of effort into it, and we will be ready when the tournament starts.

“We have to be prepared to accept difficulties. It will be hot, it will be humid, it will be a lot of travelling, it will be a lot of delays – there can be delays with the thunderstorms.

“So I think it’s more about the mindset than having a solution to everything before it happens.”

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