England are weighing up the extraordinary option of keeping substitutes inside the dressing room during matches at next summer’s World Cup to protect players from the extreme heat expected across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel, in Washington for today’s tournament draw, confirmed that the coaching staff are examining “unusual” but potentially necessary measures as forecasts indicate temperatures could exceed 40C at several venues.
The plan would mean that some England substitutes may remain inside the stadium rather than sit on the bench, emerging only when instructed to warm up or enter the game — a tactic previously employed by Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup.
While Tuchel made clear it is far from his preferred approach, he accepted that England may have to adapt to conditions unlike anything they have encountered in European competition.
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Tuchel said: “If this is what helps us later in the match when they come on, okay, we consider that as a possibility.
"Nobody likes it as I want the players to be out here and feel the energy and give the energy from the bench onto the field.
"But I saw teams doing this and players doing this at the Club World Cup. Hopefully we can avoid it. It is always better if they can be with us.”
England are weighing up the extraordinary option of keeping substitutes inside the dressing room during matches at next summer’s World Cup to protect players from the extreme heat expected across the United States, Canada and Mexico
|PA
Speaking to the BBC, he warned that the heat will fundamentally reshape the tempo and pattern of matches.
“The heat will reduce the intensity of the match, it will reduce the intensity of the runs," added the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss. "Offensively and defensively. The matches will naturally adapt.
"You cannot play the same football in 45C as you can in 21C. That is as easy as that.
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England's record in their last five major tournaments | GB NEWS"We have to adapt and prepare the players and adapt to the heat. We will be on it and put a lot of effort into it and we will be ready.”
Tuchel, whose England side qualified with a perfect record, said he was relishing the draw and praised the sense of anticipation within his squad and staff.
“You dream about it because it’s huge and my personal biggest joy is to see the joy of the players, the staff and my friends and family to see how happy they are,” he said.
He refused to be drawn, however, on Jude Bellingham’s visible frustration when substituted in England’s final qualifier, away to Albania, insisting the matter was already settled.
The Real Madrid star's act of petulance raised eyebrows and even led to suggestions that, for all his talent, might not be involved at next summer's showpiece event.
Tuchel, however, opted against discussing the subject.
Jude Bellingham was visibly frustrated after being hooked in England's win over Albania last month
| PA“It’s pretty clear what happened and I didn’t see it during the match,” Tuchel said.
“I think you understand that I’m in Washington now for the World Cup draw so the subject is not for now.”
Asked whether the issue was resolved, he replied: “Yes.”
As well as England, Scotland will also find out their opponents for the next World Cup.
Other home nations Northern Ireland and Wales could yet be involved, with the two sides looking ahead to the play-offs in March.
Republic of Ireland, who sensationally beat Hungary to book a play-off spot, are in the same boat.