'Mum was killing me': England's Rice on World Cup heat - and his sunburn
Declan Rice says he and his England teammates are still getting used to the heat in the US, as he admitted he got a telling off from his mum for turning up to a World Cup photoshoot sunburnt.
Declan Rice says he and his England teammates are still getting used to the heat in the US, as he admitted he got a telling off from his mum for turning up to a World Cup photoshoot sunburnt.
The Arsenal midfielder was notably pink in pre-tournament snaps, with fans on social media poking fun at his beetroot-red face and watch strap tan line.
When asked by the BBC when he knew he had started to acclimatise, he said "when the sunburnt went", adding: "I think everyone's seen them photos... I was bright red at that photoshoot, my mum was killing me."
Players from all 48 nations traveled several days before the tournament begins on Thursday in a bid to get used to the searing temperatures in the US, Mexico and Canada.
In Arlington, Texas, where England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June, temperatures have hit 36C this week - and even more heat is expected as the tournament progresses.
Forecasters are expecting scorching and unpredictable conditions in the US this summer, fuelled by El Nino, a weather phenomenon which causes erratic fluctuations in the weather in the US and elsewhere.
England's final warm-up game against Costa Rica in Dallas on Wednesday was delayed by thunderstorms - something which could become a regular feature of this World Cup as the brutal heat generates massive storms.
Asked about the conditions, Rice said: "Honestly, the first day was tough, just getting used to that heat - when you come from England and its hot, cold, all different types of weather.
"Then you come here and, regardless of whether it's hot or cold, it's 30C and it really does hit you in the face when you're running."
Fifa has implemented drinks breaks at the midway point in each half for every game in this World Cup to allow players to hydrate.
Dealing with the heat has been a major part of England's preparation ahead of this tournament, including training in heated tents in Spain and in sweltering conditions in Kansas, where the team will be based for the duration of the tournament.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has said he expects his players to "suffer" in the conditions as they look to win their first World Cup since 1966.
Searing temperatures are also expected in matches played in tournament co-hosts Mexico and Canada, where the mercury has topped 30C in recent days.
