England's national soccer team won a pre-World Cup friendly match against New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa over the weekend, with Harry Kane scoring on a header. The team is now preparing at facilities in Palm Beach Gardens before relocating to its Kansas City base camp this weekend. England has scheduled another warm-up match in Orlando before the World Cup tournament officially begins.
Manager Thomas Tuchel outlined his expectations for the team's training in Palm Beach Gardens, emphasizing the importance of building intensity and improving their style of play. "We expect to push tomorrow physically and from intensity and style of play, ball speed and everything. We want to take the next step," Tuchel said. He also highlighted the quality of the facilities available to the team in the area. Defender Marc Guehi shared similar praise for both the accommodations and training venue, noting the welcoming atmosphere the team has experienced. "Great, fantastic. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming to us, felt at home straight away here, and in West Palm Beach. The quality of the pitch, really good so far," Guehi said.
Adjusting to Florida's climate has been a significant challenge for the squad. Guehi acknowledged that the first day of training in the summer heat was extremely difficult but that the team is gradually adapting to the conditions. "First day was extremely hot. We've been doing better getting used to the weather, getting used to the conditions, definitely a big step for us," Guehi said. At Gardens District Park, groundskeeping staff waters the fields moments before practice sessions begin. According to Palm Beach Gardens Director of Agronomy Andrew Keller, this preparation serves an important purpose. The moisture on the grass helps the ball move quickly across the surface rather than catching and slowing down, allowing players to replicate the playing conditions they will encounter in actual World Cup stadiums, where similar watering practices occur before matches.
England will depart South Florida this weekend for Kansas City, where the team will be based during the tournament. The squad's first World Cup match is scheduled for next Wednesday against Croatia. After England leaves, World Cup preparations will continue at the same Palm Beach Gardens facilities, as Portugal's national team is also planning to train on the fields.