The England national team is facing potential disruptions to their World Cup preparations due to severe weather conditions at their training base. A ‘Tornado alert’ has been issued for the Kansas City Metropolitan area, where the team is scheduled to train. The region is currently on high alert with a thunderstorm predicted for the day of the team’s arrival from Florida.
England recently encountered adverse weather conditions in Florida before their match against Costa Rica, which they won 3-0. Their schedule was already affected by storms in Orlando, delaying their game by an hour. The city of Kansas City, including its international airport, is equipped with ‘Tornado evacuation rooms’ to safeguard residents.
Experts attribute the extreme weather to global warming and the ‘El Nino effect.’ Despite facing challenges, the team plans to undergo training in Kansas City ahead of their match against Croatia in Dallas. The area is prone to summer thunderstorms, common in cities like Miami and Houston, where warm and humid conditions lead to frequent storms.
Residents in the warning area are advised to review emergency plans and have a safe room prepared in case of severe weather. The England squad will also have to contend with high humidity and a unique weather phenomenon known as ‘corn sweat’ in Kansas.
The location was chosen strategically by Tuchel to minimize travel time and prepare for potential matches in Mexico City. The weather conditions, including ‘corn sweat,’ could pose challenges for the players. The tournament’s final match in New York on 19 July could also face heatwave conditions, impacting player performance.