England head coach Thomas Tuchel says he may consider leaving his substitutes in the dressing room during next summer’s World Cup matches to shield them from the dangerous heat across the host nations.
Speaking to BBC Sport in Washington, D.C., ahead of the tournament draw, Tuchel admitted the idea is unconventional but could help his squad stay fresh in matches scheduled for the peak of summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“If this is what benefits us when they come on, we have to see it as an option,” Tuchel said, adding that he wants players to contribute from the bench but cannot ignore the climate risks.
“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.”
The decision comes against a growing backdrop of climate warnings. A recent report titled Pitches in Peril, produced by Football for the Future and Common Goal, highlighted that ten of the sixteen venues selected for the World Cup face a “very high risk of experiencing extreme heat stress conditions.”
The study raised concerns for footballers, supporters and stadium staff, with forecasts also pointing to possible wildfires and hurricanes during the competition window.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup schedule drew criticism after players were pushed through fixtures in fierce heat. Tuchel believes the same risk exists in 2026 and says the style of play will inevitably change.
“It’s an issue for high-level football, it will reduce the intensity of the matches. 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 as in 21 °C,” he said.
“We need to adapt and prepare the players as well 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.”
Beyond heat, England face logistical challenges as well, with squads expected to cover long distances between match venues. Tuchel says the group must be mentally prepared to handle delays and demanding travel.
He said, “We have to be prepared to accept difficulties. It will be hot, it will be humid, there will be a lot of travelling, there will be a lot of delays, and 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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