England full-back Reece James is hoping the Three Lions are handed late kick-off times to combat the expected heat in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have already qualified for the World Cup – the first European team to do so – and preparation has got underway on how they will acclimatise to playing in a North and Central American summer.
James has experience of the conditions Stateside after captaining Chelsea to the Club World Cup title earlier this year and he admits they will be challenging.
He said: “Everyone is aware of that. We are trying to prepare as best we can for that. It’s super difficult conditions to play in that heat. Especially for us playing in England, there’s not anything like that before.
“You feel the heat the minute you step outside the hotel. Once you are out there you adapt the longer you are there, when you are settled in one place and try to limit the things you can. Later kick-offs when it’s not so hot and humid, that would definitely help.”
James also concerned about the state of the playing surfaces
England will be hoping to play as many games as possible in the northern venues such as Seattle, Vancouver and Toronto but will have to wait to discover their schedule with the draw not taking place until December 5.
The state of the pitches will be another concern with issues arising at both the Club World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
“The pitches when we were there weren’t the greatest either and made it a little bit harder but hopefully by the time the World Cup comes around it’s better,” James added.
England take on Serbia at Wembley tomorrow night and conclude their Group K campaign with a trip to Albania on Sunday.
