As soon as the World Cup draw was made in Washington last December, it was clear that the coming week of this tournament would be pivotal to England’s chances. Whether Thomas Tuchel and his staff have chosen to go about it the right way will now become apparent.
Because they were a late starter in the tournament – the disadvantage of being drawn in Group L – Tuchel’s squad have now started a run – including Saturday’s win over Panama – that comprises three huge games in ten days.
What’s more, if they win in Atlanta against DR Congo on Wednesday the final one of those games will be in Mexico City at high altitude.
It’s a huge ask for England. Training days will be limited to one full one between each of the next two games and there will be lots of travel. In short the wisdom or otherwise of constantly flying in and out of their base in Kansas City between games will be under the microscope.
FIFA wanted teams to ‘follow the draw’ from this point on in World Cup 2026. In other words, to go from city to city rather than go back and forth to a central base. England decided to do it their own way and that ultimately – after taking advice and information from his support staff – was Tuchel’s decision.
Tuchel was relaxed about the schedule after the Panama game and said: ‘We have three days, then the next match in four days. It’s not a problem. We love that and are good at that.’
Thomas Tuchel’s decision to base England at a Kansas City hotel means the Three Lions will travel some 1,400 miles this week
England progressed through to the Round of 32 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham against Panama
Tuchel perhaps has no choice than to appear so relaxed but the truth is that the England manager has precious little evidence to support that statement.
The last England team to travel long distances at a summer tournament was Gareth Southgate’s in Russia 2018 and the logistics were nothing compared to this. It was a shorter tournament, the distances were not as vast and there were no changes in altitude.
Between full time in New Jersey on Saturday and – if they beat Congo on Wednesday – facing Mexico or Ecuador next Sunday, England will travel in the region of 4,000 miles on four different flights as they try to make the last eight of this tournament.
And that’s before they fly the 1,400 miles back from Mexico to Kansas after the game.
It is now that Tuchel’s decision to base the team in Kansas will either work or be proved to be a huge mistake. Of particular interest is England’s approach to the possibility of a game at altitude in Mexico.
The challenges of such a game are clear.
Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast recently, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg revealed the challenges of Mexico City.
‘I refereed there,’ Clattenburg said. ‘I was very fit and I found it really hard to run. I just couldn’t get my breath.
If England beat DR Congo on Wednesday, they will travel to the Azteca Stadium for the last 16
‘There is a reason that referee fitness tests are not taken in places like that. We would all fail.’
England’s plan – should they make it past Congo – is to fly into Mexico City the day before the game. Were they to fly straight after Wednesday’s match in Atlanta – that kicks off at noon local time – they would have a little longer to acclimatise.
The counter argument is that even that would not be long enough. It takes longer than a week for an athlete’s body to fully adjust.
England have known of the logistical challenges this tournament would present for a long time. Tuchel’s assistant Anthony Barry spoke about it last autumn and his approach was simple.
‘Flights, delays, time hanging around,’ he said. ‘Bring it on. That’s the attitude.’
Barry is right of course. This is an England squad selected partly with temperament in mind and the real challenge starts now.
If England make it to the quarter-finals, they will be well set. They will get their rest days and their training days. They will appreciate their familiar beds and pillows back in Kansas.
If they don’t then the wisdom of their planning will be questioned on the longest and quietest flight of all. The one taking them home to Heathrow.
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