England Won't Use Heat as Excuse, Says Tuchel Ahead of World Cup

Tough World Cup conditions no 'excuse' for England, says Tuchel | Football News

Image source: Internet

Coach Thomas Tuchel said England will not use scorching heat and vast travel distances between venues as excuses as they target a 'long' tournament campaign.

England face New Zealand in a pre-tournament friendly in Tampa Bay, Florida, on Saturday, and have been preparing with training sessions in hot and humid West Palm Beach.

Tuchel told a press conference, 'We don't want it to be an excuse. It will be tough. It will be hopefully a long World Cup.'

England enter the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada among a group of favorites led by the likes of France, Spain and defending champions Argentina.

The Three Lions will kick off their tournament on June 17 against Croatia in Dallas, where the mercury is set to hit 35 degrees C next week.

Tuchel said, 'That's also the task for us, and that's also what you want to achieve that atmosphere where you stay calm, where we stay patient, and where we adapt to the circumstances.'

England, who reached the final of the past two European Championships, are in Group L, which also contains Ghana, Panama and Croatia.