Henderson urges England stars to embrace Florida heat ahead of World Cup

Jordan Henderson has urged England's players to "expose" themselves to the sweltering Florida conditions so they can acclimatise to the intense heat expected at the World Cup.

The majority of the England squad have arrived in the United States ahead of the tournament which begins next week, though five players - Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among them - will join later this week.

Thomas Tuchel's side have located themselves in Florida – known as the Sunshine State – with a view to helping the players adapt to the brutal US heat.

During the team's first training session in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, temperatures reached 32C.

Indeed, studies have shown that nearly a quarter of all World Cup games are likely to be played in temperatures higher than 26C.

BBC Sport revealed on Sunday that England boss Tuchel advised his players to holiday in the USA after the domestic season to help adapt themselves to the heat and changes in time zone.

England forward Marcus Rashford was among the players who took their post-season break in the US.

Henderson, who is set to play in his seventh major tournament, said it is important England's players are able to cope with the temperatures.

"You just build your capacity to these conditions," said the Brentford midfielder.

"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's opening Group L game against Croatia takes place on 17 June in Dallas, Texas.

They then face Ghana on 23 June in Massachusetts and Panama on 27 June at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo said the squad were "working really hard" to get "acclimatised as quick as we can" to the conditions.

"Hopefully by the first game we'll be ready and feel like home," he said.

"It's not so much about keeping cool because the weather's going to be like this so I think it's more getting used to the heat and getting used to the humidity out here. And everyone's really working hard around the players to get us ready.

"Straight after the season, I got away to try and have some time off and was in the heat but it's tough to really prepare for humidity and heat like this.

"You know, it's very different to anything I've played in, but hopefully over the next couple of weeks leading into the tournament you can really feel easy and feel at home."