James calls for World Cup postponement

Chelsea captain and England star Reece James has stated that postponing the 2026 World Cup matches to a later date could be the best solution to combat the high temperatures expected during the tournament . James, who experienced the summer heat in the United States during the Club World Cup, said: "It's very difficult to play in that heat, especially for us as England players; we're not used to such conditions." He added: "Of course, playing the matches at later dates when it's cooler and the humidity is lower will help; that will definitely be beneficial." The Chelsea captain continued: "You feel the heat from the moment you step out of the hotel; it's very hot. But once you adjust and settle in one place, you try to minimize the factors that affect you." He also noted that the tournament's stadiums were not in optimal condition during their participation in the Club World Cup, expressing his hope that conditions will improve by the next tournament . Research conducted by Queen's University Belfast indicates that temperatures in 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could exceed potentially dangerous levels during the tournament.