England continue to gear up for the World Cup with a final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Ahead of the meeting in oppressive Orlando heat, the Press Association looks at some of the main talking points.
Final chance to fine-tune for Croatia opener
Thomas Tuchel’s team will take to the field in their final official warm-up game a week out from their June 17 encounter against Croatia at AT&T Stadium, the gigantic home of the Dallas Cowboys. A behind-closed-doors training game against Miami FC has also been lined up, but Costa Rica provides the last real game experience before they start their quest for World Cup glory.
Tuchel named different sides in each half of Saturday’s 1-0 win against New Zealand in Tampa but says Wednesday would be “different” with players needing “bigger chunks of minutes” ahead of taking on Croatia. Costa Rica did not qualify for the World Cup but are 52nd in the FIFA world rankings – higher than group opponents Ghana, who sit 73rd. Saturday’s opponents New Zealand were 85th by comparison.
A glimpse at the line-up in Dallas?
England players all know where they stand with open and honest Tuchel, who has clearly assigned them with different roles to ensure the group are bought in and aware of what they need to bring to the table. Among those roles, the German coach says he has 14 or 15 “proper starters” in mind.
Naturally that means decisions remain over big-name players, including whether Jude Bellingham – who skippered England in the second half against the All Whites – or Morgan Rogers will get the number 10 spot. Barcelona new boy Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan with Barca, are vying to start on the left, while Tuchel’s centre-back choice will be interesting. Wednesday’s line-up could be instructive.
How much will the Arsenal quartet feature?
Among Tuchel’s “proper starters” are winger Bukayo Saka and midfield general Declan Rice, while Gunners team-mates Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke could prove important attacking options this summer. The Arsenal contingent linked up with England on Saturday evening, a week on from their Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and began working with the group the following day. Tuchel will want to give them minutes to get them back in the England rhythm as he looks to use the Premier League champions’ qualities.
Could a storm be brewing?
England came to Florida last Monday to begin a warm weather training camp aimed at aiding the acclimatisation process for what will be taxing summer. The first week’s training in West Palm Beach was more overcast than expected and players coped well against New Zealand in 33 degrees Celsius weather. But the heat and humidity has increased since returning to their temporary West Palm Beach base and potentially challenging conditions await in Orlando.
As often with matches in Florida at this time of year, there is a distinct possibility of a weather delay. A storm is possible when the match kicks off at Inter&Co Stadium at 4pm local time (2000 GMT), meaning players would be called off the pitch and fans told to find shelter. England’s 2014 World Cup warm-up friendly against Honduras was temporarily halted by a storm in Miami and some matches were disrupted during last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.
