England defender Reece James is urging FIFA to schedule later kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, warning that extreme summer temperatures pose a danger to player welfare.
Having captained Chelsea in the recent Club World Cup in the US, James described the conditions—which saw temperatures reach 38C and led his teammate to feel “dizzy”—as “super difficult.”
Research supports his concern, indicating that 14 of the 16 host stadiums could experience dangerously high temperatures during the tournament.
James stressed that later kick-offs, when conditions are cooler and less humid, would “definitely help” the players.
While England prepares for the heat with a planned training camp in Florida, FIFA is already expected to address the issue by scheduling major European matches late in the day in the Americas, likely mirroring the post-midnight UK kick-off times used during the Club World Cup.
