England defender Dan Burn expressed confidence in ending the nation’s 60-year wait for a second World Cup title ahead of their 2026 tournament opener against Croatia on June 17 in Kansas City [1, 2]. England last won the World Cup in 1966 on home soil and have not clinched the trophy since [1, 2].
The England squad arrived in Kansas City on June 8 after training in Florida, where Burn said the spell prepared them well for the local heat conditions, which are drier and less humid than Florida’s climate. "I think after the week that we had, in West Palm, I haven't felt the heat as much, being here, it seems a bit more dry and not as humid," Burn said, adding, "It's the same for every team. It's not something that I think we're overly worried about at the moment" [1, 2].
Burn, 34, expressed excitement now that the tournament has started. He welcomed England’s late group phase schedule, saying the extra time before their first match allows the team to prepare and study opponents. "Now that we've got here, now I'm excited. I think it's when the tournament started ... I think that's probably the time when it's really kicked in," he said. "It just gives us a bit more time to have a look at the competition, maybe get used to the feel of the games and what sort of pace they're going to be before we play next week" [2].
England’s Group L fixtures include matches against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama [1, 2]. Burn clearly stated the team’s ambition: "I think it's pointless coming here and saying that we don't want to do that. That was the challenge, to put a second star on the chest. So that's what we want to do" [1].
The 2026 World Cup began on June 6, with England among the teams arriving early to acclimate ahead of their first game nearly a week later on June 17 [1, 2]. The closing group match timing leaves England well-positioned to prepare thoroughly before kickoff.