Jordan Henderson on England's Preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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

The Brentford midfielder started Saturday’s 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa, Florida, a match played in stifling conditions that offered England a first real taste of what awaits this summer. Harry Kane settled it with a trademark header seconds before half-time, nodding in the only goal of the game.

Thomas Tuchel treated the friendly as a live experiment, rolling out one XI for the first half and an entirely different side for the second. Henderson’s work was done at the interval, his 45-minute shift part fitness exercise, part climate education.

“You just build your capacity to these conditions,” he told the BBC, outlining the challenge facing the squad as they hop across a vast country with wildly different climates. “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 but 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, we've got an amazing team behind the team and how much research they've done and tried to cool down and recovery and all that sort of stuff so that's top, top level.

“Hopefully that can give us a little edge as well when we get into the tournament 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 (9pm BST) in their final friendly before the World Cup, another chance to test legs and lungs before the real thing begins. Their opening group game comes against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday 17 June (9pm BST), where the temperature and occasion will both rise sharply.

Brazil, Scotland and Norway step up World Cup preparations

While England sweated in Florida, Brazil, Scotland and Norway also sharpened their plans across the United States.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Igor Thiago led the line in the second half as Brazil edged Egypt 2-1. Bruno Guimarães struck early, only for Mostafa Zico to hit back quickly and level the contest.

The game turned after the interval. Carlo Ancelotti made eight changes at half-time, introducing Brentford striker Thiago among a raft of fresh legs, and Brazil found their winner soon after the restart. Endrick, supplied by Raphinha, steered a precise finish into the far corner to close out a hard-fought victory.

Brazil now look towards New York, where they open their Group C campaign against Morocco on Saturday 13 June (11pm BST).

In Harrison, New Jersey, Scotland cut loose. Aaron Hickey played just over an hour as Steve Clarke’s side dismantled Bolivia 4-0, all four goals coming before the break in a ruthless first-half display.

Lawrence Shankland struck, Scott McTominay joined him on the scoresheet, and Che Adams helped himself to two more as Scotland overwhelmed their opponents and banked a surge of confidence before their own Group C opener. They face Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14 June (2am BST), armed with goals and momentum.

Back in Harrison, the goals were shared later in the day. Kristoffer Ajer’s Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco in a tighter, more controlled contest. Brahim Díaz put Morocco in front early, only for Martin Ødegaard to haul Norway level in the second half.

Ajer, another Brentford presence on this American tour of friendlies, played 72 minutes as Norway continued to build rhythm and resilience.

From Tampa to Cleveland to New Jersey, the pattern is clear: legs are being stretched, systems tested, and players pushed to their limits in unfamiliar heat. The next time the whistle blows in these cities, points – and possibly careers – will be on the line.