World Cup 2026: 'Three Lions' buzz with excitement ahead of kickoff

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in New York, on June 12, the pre-tournament training phase for the England team officially concluded, making way for the upcoming exciting matches. England head coach Thomas Tuchel skillfully divided the preparation into two parts: a "warm-up" phase to acclimate to the climate in Miami, and an intense "acceleration" phase in Kansas City starting June 13. To recharge their energy, the players had a full day on June 12 to relax with family and friends before officially entering a "closed camp" mode.

Throughout the past week in cities like West Palm Beach and Orlando, fans have consistently seen a joyful "Three Lions" squad. At the Pickleball center in Palm Beach Gardens, upbeat music constantly played on the training courts to boost the players' morale. Beyond training, a group of players including striker Harry Kane, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and defender John Stones even went golfing with professional golfer Brooks Koepka for recreation. Defender Marc Guéhi even took time to stroll along the beach and enjoy coffee with his family in Palm Beach.

On the professional front, coach Thomas Tuchel's England side is in superb form with impressive victories. They convincingly beat New Zealand 1-0 and defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in friendly matches. Notably, in a closed-door training match on June 11, England striker Ivan Toney shone brightly with a hat-trick, contributing to a devastating 6-0 win over Miami FC. Despite the heat near 33°C and sudden thunderstorms in Florida that delayed training schedules, the players remained focused and quickly adapted to the harsh conditions.

The team's confidence also stems from the dedicated support of experts. Team nutritionist Chris Rosimus brought secret weapons such as 350ml Lucozade high-carbohydrate liquid packs and palm-cooling technology to help players recover rapidly. Additionally, wearing Whoop health-tracking bands allows the coaching staff to monitor the condition of each individual, such as midfielder Jude Bellingham or striker Bukayo Saka, ahead of the opening match against Croatia on June 17 in Texas.

Currently, the entire squad is enjoying a precious 36-hour rest period to achieve the best psychological state. With a playing style that boasts up to 80% ball possession and fierce attacking power, the England team is expected to end a 60-year trophy drought. Fans are also excitedly participating in prediction challenges with total prize value of up to $10,000. Everything in the USA is ready for a historic journey of the "Three Lions".