Training in heavy heat before the tournament would be a practical move, not a cosmetic one.
The key is not simply “getting used to” hot weather. It is building routines: when players train, how quickly they cool down, how workloads are adjusted and how sleep is protected. Those details often decide whether freshness lasts into the knockout rounds.
The report says England are expected to use Kansas City as a base later in the build-up. That makes sense. In a country as large as the US, travel can drain a squad as surely as an extra-time tie.
International tournaments are usually framed around formations and selection debates. In reality, they also reward teams that reduce friction. A fixed base, familiar surroundings and controlled travel plans can preserve energy that would otherwise be lost between matches.
There is no need to treat this World Cup as uniquely intimidating. Major tournaments always come with a distinct problem to solve. For this one, the problem appears to be environmental management first, football second.
That is why England’s next friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica could matter beyond the scoreline. The next storyline to watch is not just who starts, but who adapts best - because in 2026, endurance and organisation may prove every bit as valuable as flair.