Reece James said he hopes FIFA will change World Cup kick-off times to help players cope with the stifling summer heat he experienced first-hand in the United States when he led Chelsea to victory in the Club World Cup.
England is among the favorites to win North America next year, and has guaranteed qualification for the tournament with two matches to go.
The back-to-back European Championship runners-up host Serbia and head to Albania as Thomas Tuchel’s side wrap up this year’s action before attention turns to the World Cup draw in Washington DC on December 5.
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The United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting a tournament that will be held in sweltering heat, which FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani suggested could lead to matches being postponed after learning of the impact of kick-off times in the Club World Cup.
Tuchel said it would be “better if we play later” after he went to watch the tournament in America, where James helped Chelsea to success in the summer.
When the England coach’s comments were put to the full-back, he said: “Sure, that will definitely help, later on when it’s not so hot and humid. That will definitely help.”
Asked if FIFA had contacted the Club World Cup-winning captain for his comments after the tournament, James added: “No, I was not asked for my thoughts on kick-off times.
“I’m sure they’ve asked someone. Maybe managers or people at the clubs. I’m sure they’ll get some feedback.”
England are planning a warm-weather training camp in Florida to help acclimate to a tournament for which assistant Anthony Barry has revealed staff are trying to build a “heat-proof” game plan.
But there’s only so much preparation you can do for such challenging conditions, which culminated for James with a heatwave on the East Coast during the Club World Cup.
The Chelsea captain said: “It is very difficult conditions to play in this heat, especially when we play in England, there has never been anything like this before.”
“Once you’re there, you acclimate to the longer you’re there, the more you settle into one place and try to limit the things you can do.
“You feel the heat the minute you step out of the hotel. It’s very hot.
He added: “They are difficult conditions to play in, and the pitches when we were there were not in their best condition either and it made it a bit more difficult, but by the time the World Cup comes around, I hope it will be better.”
The heat is a “key message” within the England squad that James is desperate to be part of next summer after suffering huge disappointment in the tournament so far.
The 25-year-old made just one substitute appearance at Euro 2020, before injury problems ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar and last year’s Euros in Germany.
Defender James, who participated in 21 international matches, said: “Football in the tournament may not have gone the way I dreamed, but that has become a thing of the past.” “We’re looking forward. I feel good.
“I’m playing relatively well at the moment and I’m focused on staying healthy and performing well week after week until this summer.”
