Former Mexico striker Jared Borgetti has warned that England and other unacclimatised European nations will severely struggle with the intense heat and humidity at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, heavily impacting their ability to play top-level football.
Borgetti pointed out that while the extreme conditions across the USA, Mexico and Canada will act as a major hurdle, Thomas Tuchel’s side possesses a gifted generation of players that must finally live up to expectations after decades of underperforming on the world stage.
He singled out Three Lions captain Harry Kane as a world-class asset whose high-profile move to Bayern Munich has kept him in lethal form, tipping the striker to arrive highly motivated and ready to mount a serious challenge for the Golden Boot.
Weather conditions
During an exclusive conversation with 10bet, Borgetti said of the heat factor: “I think it’s only natural that the team will struggle with the weather conditions that aren’t used to them.
“The weather will be an important factor for some teams that aren’t used to the intense heat and depending on where they have to play – in what part of the United States, Mexico or Canada – and the time of day, I think it will be taken into account.
“Some teams, I believe, won’t be able to play their best football.
“Hopefully, it won’t be an impediment for them to play, but there are players who aren’t used to that heat, that temperature, and these are things that teams and football itself have to take into account.”
Third favourites
England have been rated as third favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy by most bookmakers, who have Spain and France ahead of them.
Tuchel has played down his team’s chances of winning the World Cup, something they have not done since 1966.
And ex-Bolton striker Borgetti agrees with the former Chelsea manager, saying they are a contender but need to raise their game.
He added: “There’s a lot of talk about a very good generation of England players – hopefully they can live up to it.
“They had a very good European Championship, and they need to consolidate that in a World Cup, which hasn’t been the tournament where England typically delivers.”
READ MORE: World Cup 2026: Jared Borgetti backs France to lift trophy; gives Golden Boot contenders
Squad full of talent
Borgetti continued: “I think it would be an understatement to say that the England team has left a lot to be desired for a very long time when it comes to performing at the World Cup, especially when you consider the talent that they have in the squad.
“Frankly, it hasn’t been good enough.
“So, it’s a good opportunity, and this very good generation has players in good form, so it’s a great opportunity for England to have a World Cup where they can be a contender to win it.”
Kane key for England
England’s hopes will once again rest on the shoulders of captain Kane, who will come into the tournament off the back of a goal-laden season with Bayern Munich.
Borgetti has much admiration for the former Tottenham striker, saying: “Harry Kane, the England captain, is one of the best players to appear at this World Cup, there is no doubt about it.
“After his move from Tottenham to Bayern, I think it suited him very well.
“He has already demonstrated his quality; he is a great player, a lethal number 9, and I’m happy for him because we need more players like him in the modern game.
“The number of goals he scores in Germany is important, and he will arrive highly motivated, in top form and will surely be a great asset to England.
“Hopefully, he will be one of the candidates to win the Golden Boot.”
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SportJustSport writers 
Liam McLaughlan