Jordan Henderson on England's Heat Adaptation Ahead of World Cup

Jordan Henderson insists England will grow into the heat of the United States as the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup tightens.

The Brentford midfielder started Saturday’s 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa, Florida, a match played in draining, sticky conditions that felt more like a test of stamina than a gentle warm-up. Harry Kane’s header, seconds before half-time, settled it, but the real story for England was the climate.

Thomas Tuchel used the friendly to experiment, rolling out one XI for the first half and another after the break. Henderson got the opening 45 minutes, a sharp run-out in temperatures that will mirror what awaits England later this month.

“You just build your capacity to these conditions,” he told the BBC, summing up the challenge in simple terms. The message was clear: this is as much about lungs and legs as it is about tactics.

He knows the scale of the task. The US is vast, the weather wildly different from city to city. “I know that depends on where you're playing in the country, it can be different all over so it's hard to really adapt,” he said. The answer, in his eyes, is this week: stack the minutes, suffer a bit, and let the body learn.

“It’s about this week to build that capacity, to get used to the heat a little bit. The warm-up games will be good for that as well and to get that exposure just best we can,” he added. Behind the scenes, England’s backroom staff have thrown everything at the problem, from cooling strategies to recovery protocols. Henderson called it “top, top level” and believes those marginal gains could tilt the fine margins of a World Cup.

“Hopefully that can give us a little edge as well when we get into the tournament,” he said, before snapping the focus back to basics. “But it's the same for everyone so we've just got to go and try to just concentrate on the football.”

England face Costa Rica on Wednesday at 9pm BST in their final friendly before the World Cup, another chance to test themselves under the lights and under the heat. Then comes the real thing: Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday 17 June, also a 9pm BST kick-off. The warm-up is nearly over.

Thiago involved as Brazil edge Egypt

Across the country in Cleveland, Ohio, Igor Thiago led the line as Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in a lively contest that turned after the break.

Bruno Guimarães struck early for Brazil, only for Mostafa Zico to hit back quickly and level the game. The tempo stayed high, the changes came, and the pressure finally told.

Carlo Ancelotti made eight substitutions at half-time, one of them Brentford striker Thiago. Not long after the restart, Endrick found the far corner, finishing coolly after Raphinha picked him out. That goal proved decisive.

Brazil now turn to their Group C opener against Morocco in New York on Saturday 13 June, an 11pm BST kick-off that will offer an immediate measure of their credentials.

Hickey sharp as Scotland hit four

In Harrison, New Jersey, Aaron Hickey played just over an hour as Scotland tore through Bolivia in a 4-0 win that looked ruthless from the outset.

Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay and a double from Che Adams all arrived before half-time, Steve Clarke’s side swarming all over a Bolivia team that never found a foothold. By the interval, the contest was over; the second half was about control and conservation.

Scotland will carry that confidence into their own Group C opener against Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14 June, a 2am BST start that will test both body clocks and concentration.

Ajer’s Norway held by Morocco

Back in Harrison, Kristoffer Ajer’s Norway were made to work for a 1-1 draw with Morocco.

Brahim Díaz struck early to give Morocco the lead, punishing a sluggish start. Norway grew into the game, tightened their shape, and eventually found their reply after the break through Martin Ødegaard.

Ajer played 72 minutes at the heart of the defence, another solid shift in a week where conditioning, more than scorelines, may prove the most valuable currency.