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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Chris Nee

England World Cup fixture schedule is the second-toughest – here's the science that proves it

England World Cup Harry Kane World Cup 2026 FA
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 30: Harry Kane of England sprays water over his face during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images).

Football supporters of a certain age will remember the afternoon of June 24, 1994 and the sight of an overheated John Aldridge and Jack Charlton clashing with officials on the touchline during the Republic of Ireland's loss to Mexico in Orlando.

World Cup 2026 takes 48 teams back to North America, this time for a vast tournament spanning the United States and its neighbours to the north and south. There will be stifling heat. There will be long distances and short turnarounds. For some of the competing teams, that's not the half of it.

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