Palm Beach Gardens (United States) (AFP) – England kicked off their pre-World Cup preparations in Florida on Tuesday, holding a light first training session in hot and humid conditions following their arrival in the United States. Thomas Tuchel’s squad, who are considered among the favourites for the World Cup, have set up camp in Palm Beach, Florida, ahead of friendlies against New Zealand on Saturday and Costa Rica next week before relocating to their training camp in Kansas City on June 13.
England, who open their World Cup Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, got an early taste of the sweltering heat and humidity they may encounter later in the tournament, when they face Ghana in Boston on June 23 before taking on Panama in New Jersey on June 27. With temperatures on Tuesday reaching 32 degrees Celsius (89.6) in the shade, England’s players worked through a series of passing and dribbling drills before a small-sided practice match.
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“I’m used to a lot worse weather than this, rainy and not this temperature,” striker Ollie Watkins told reporters. “But it’s nice to be out here adapting to what it’s going to be like at the World Cup,” the 30-year-old Aston Villa forward added. Watkins was part of the England squad that finished runners-up to Spain at the 2024 European Championship in Germany, one of several near-misses experienced by England in recent major tournaments.
“We’re a big nation and we haven’t been as successful as we wanted in these competitions before, so the aim is obviously to win the World Cup,” Watkins said. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who forced his way back into the England set-up on the back of resurgent form for Manchester United during the second half of the season, said the team was not looking past the opening round. “When you look too far ahead to the World Cup it can feel a bit daunting, so we’re focusing on now,” the 21-year-old said.
Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, 35, whose inclusion by Tuchel raised eyebrows in a squad selection that saw several star names left out, echoed Mainoo’s comments. “You have to focus on what’s important, and what’s important at the minute is the next game — the two pre-camp games,” Henderson said. “It’s important to build some fitness, build some rhythm so that we arrive in the World Cup in a good place against Croatia because they’re a very good side.”
Henderson, who earned the first of his 89 England caps in 2010, appeared to have fallen out of the international set-up after being left out of the Euro 2024 squad. “The last few years have been a roller coaster to say the least,” Henderson acknowledged. “But I’ve worked very hard to be in this position and I’m just very grateful and honored to be here and be a part of it.”
© 2024 AFP
