'Mum was killing me': England's Rice on World Cup heat - and his sunburn

June 11, 2026

England's national football team players are adjusting to extreme heat conditions in North America ahead of the World Cup tournament beginning Thursday. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice became noticeably sunburned during pre-tournament activities, drawing attention on social media and a scolding from his mother. Temperatures reaching 36°C in Texas, combined with El Niño weather patterns causing unpredictable storms, have forced teams to arrive early for acclimatization.

Who is affected

Declan Rice (England and Arsenal midfielder)
England national football team players and staff
Manager Thomas Tuchel
Players from all 48 participating nations
Teams playing in host countries: United States, Mexico, and Canada

What action is being taken

Players from all 48 nations are traveling several days early to acclimatize to temperatures
FIFA is implementing drinks breaks at the midway point in each half for hydration
England's team is training in Kansas where they are based for the tournament duration

Why it matters

This World Cup presents unprecedented physical challenges due to extreme heat conditions across three host nations, with temperatures exceeding 30-36°C and unpredictable weather patterns driven by El Niño. The harsh conditions could significantly impact player performance, safety, and health throughout the tournament, potentially affecting match outcomes and requiring special accommodations like mandatory hydration breaks. For England specifically, proper heat acclimatization could be crucial to their chances of winning their first World Cup since 1966.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC