Henderson: England will adapt to the heat before World Cup opener | OneFootball

Jordan Henderson believes England’s players will get used to the US heat as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Brentford midfielder featured in the Three Lions’ 1-0 victory over New Zealand on Saturday in sweltering conditions in Tampa, Florida.

Harry Kane headed home the only goal of the game seconds before half-time. Head coach Thomas Tuchel fielded a different XI in each half, with Henderson playing the opening 45 minutes.

England face Costa Rica on Wednesday (9pm kick-off BST) in their final friendly before the World Cup.

England’s first game of the tournament is against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday 17 June (9pm kick-off).

"You just build your capacity to these conditions," Henderson told the BBC.

"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."

Elsewhere, Igor Thiago led the line as Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bruno Guimarães’s early goal was quickly cancelled out by Mostafa Zico.

Shortly after the half-time break which saw head coach Carlo Ancelotti make eight changes - including Brentford striker Thiago - Endrick found the far corner having been picked out by Raphinha.

Brazil start their Group C campaign against Morocco on Saturday 13 June (11pm kick-off BST) in New York.

Aaron Hickey played just over an hour as Scotland thrashed Bolivia 4-0 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay and Che Adams (2) were all on target in the first half as Steve Clarke’s secured an impressive win ahead of their Group C opener against Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14 June (2am kick-off BST).

Kristoffer Ajer’s Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco.

Morocco took an early lead through Brahim Díaz before Martin Ødegaard equalised in the second half.

Brentford defender Ajer played 72 minutes in Harrison, New Jersey.

Norway get their World Cup campaign underway against Iraq on Tuesday 16 June (11pm kick-off BST).