Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterOne of the many talking points ahead of this summers World Cup is the climate.Players and fans alike were given a sneak preview of the weather conditions that they can expect in the coming weeks during last summers FIFA Club World Cup, where several matches were delayed or suspended due to thunderstorms.Punishing heat also played its part, meaning that cooling breaks will be integrated into every game this summer, with the action being paused 22 minutes into each half. You may like EXCLUSIVE Jordan Pickford says England glory depends on 'whether we can put out the best version of ourselves' Theres no better feeling than going to a World Cup, walking out before a game, seeing all the England fans there and knowing the whole world is watching Why Jordan Pickford thrives for the Three Lions My shootout save in 2018 was a huge moment for me and the team. Wed moved on from being the underachievers to a nation that genuinely believed Jordan Pickford on ending Englands penalty hoodoo Jordan Pickford on England vs the climateFourFourTwo's essential 2026 World Cup pack!Get your hands on the newest issue of FourFourTwo - our ultimate World Cup pack! Featuring: Englands American dream, Jordan Pickford and Morgan Rogers, Scotlands return, Mauricio Pochettino Q&A, biggest upsets plus a huge wallchart and preview special!View DealThe age-old wisdom is that this kind of hot weather will favour South American sides, as European teams will toil in the heat.But for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is preparing for his third World Cup in a third continent, the correct preparation can ensure that the Three Lions do not fit this narrative.We know its going to be hot, Pickford tells FourFourTwo. But thats why were heading there early to take part in a preparation camp and play two matches in those conditions.These two friendlies will take place in Florida, with Thomas Tuchels men taking on New Zealand in Tampa Bay on June 6, before facing Costa Rica in Orlando four days later, which then gives the team a week to finalise preparations for their Group L opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.We plan things very well, so I think well be prepared for every eventuality when we kick off on June 17, he adds.Should England trouble the final stages of the tournament, it will mean the team will have spent more than six weeks in America, which in turn presents fresh challenges for the squad.Our team behind the team does an amazing job of making us feel at home as much as possible while were away, Pickford says when asked about spending so long in a hotel environment.Mentally, you dont get many chances to go to a tournament in an England shirt, so you have to take pride in it, try to enjoy the ride and make as many memories as you can, on and off the pitch, building a bond with team-mates.The football kind of takes care of itself, so its more about making sure that the environment away from the matches is as good as it can be, because that can carry you a long way.TOPICSEnglandWorld Cup 2026Joe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromNick Judd
