Overview
- The England defender called playing conditions in the North American summer "super difficult" after captaining Chelsea through 38–40C heat at the Club World Cup.
- He said later kick-offs would "definitely help" players cope with heat and humidity, citing how oppressive conditions were from the moment teams stepped outside.
- FIFA is reported to be considering late-night UK time slots for major European teams to avoid peak heat, though no final scheduling decisions have been announced.
- James highlighted substandard pitches during the Club World Cup, adding that poor surfaces made the extreme conditions harder to manage.
- England plan a warm‑weather acclimatisation camp in Florida, with staff preparing a "heat‑proof" game plan as studies warn 14 of 16 World Cup stadiums could exceed risky thresholds, especially in southern venues.