Declan Rice and his England team-mates appeared to have caught the sun as they posed for their official World Cup photos on the eve of the North American tournament.
The Arsenal star touched down with the Three Lions in West Palm Beach, Florida, ahead of two friendlies – the second of which they will play against Costa Rica on Wednesday evening.
But just over a week after their arrival, some of the squad seemed to already be struggling with the tropical heat, with Rice and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford more than a little sun-kissed.
Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson was another star similarly afflicted, with Tino Livramento, James Trafford, Anthony Gordon, and Dean Henderson tinged pink in areas they might have missed when touching up their sun cream.
Those who have acquired a more even tan were John Stones and Jordan Henderson, the latter perhaps more conscious of the importance of protecting his skin in the heat of the day following his abortive stint at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
Images of England stars training in the Florida heat had already circulated earlier in the week, with fans noting how much more punishing the sessions appeared to look than training in gentler climes.
Declan Rice looked somewhat sun-kissed as he posed for his official World Cup portrait
Jordan Pickford and Elliot Anderson also caught the sun during England’s early days in Florida
England will be doing everything they can to keep cool during a World Cup where temperatures as high as 40 degrees could be a regular occurrence.
The tournament will introduce hydration breaks to ensure the welfare of players featuring in the oppressive temperatures, while England’s stars will be supplied with high-tech palm-cooling devices during these breaks and while substitutes warm the bench in a bid to quickly lower their core body temperature.
Harry Kane has been keen to tamp down suggestions that his side will falter in the heat however, sharing on Sunday how he didn’t think temperatures had been ‘too bad’ for June in Florida.
‘Obviously, we’ve been getting used to it in training,’ Kane said after his team’s 1-0 defeat of New Zealand in their first friendly. ‘After the first couple of days, I felt like most of the lads were used to it.
‘Today actually didn’t feel terrible out there, so I think there’s a talking point that might get over spoke about, to be honest.
‘We’re all professional athletes. We all have done the right preparation to get ready for this tournament between us and the staff as well.
‘We have another 10 days or so until that first game, training in this environment, so I think come the tournament, it won’t be a factor.’
Heat and humidity are far from the only weather conditions the set-up has endured since their arrival in Florida.
The squad were in the Sunshine State for the second-largest earthquake in the region’s history on Monday, after a 6.1 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Cuba.
Dean Henderson and Anthony Gordon also had to be wary when next applying sun cream, while captain Harry Kane was lucky enough to tan without burning
James Trafford looked almost bashful in one photograph after pinkening the bridge of his nose
Eyes will also be on the skies on Wednesday, with England’s clash with Costa Rica at risk of being struck by thunderstorms.
The temperature will provide a humidity test for Tuchel’s stars, with a temperature of 33 Celsius, with a feel of around 40 degrees.
England will begin their campaign some time after the World Cup kicks off on Thursday evening with hosts Mexico against South Africa.
The Three Lions – who were drawn into Group L – will face Croatia in their opening match on June 17.
Their next clash is scheduled on June 23 against Ghana, with the team finishing their group stage travails against Panama four days later on June 4.
Fans are set to be treated to a raucous opening ceremony on Thursday evening ahead of the 8pm BST kick-off at the famed Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with Shakira, Burna Boy, Tyla, and J Balvin among the bold-faced names performing in the spectacle.
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But despite fans getting excited for a new bout of World Cup fever, there remaining looming concerns about the United States as the major co-host.
The US’ harsh immigration ban came under heavy scrutiny this week when a FIFA-appointed Somali referee was turned away at the border despite having a valid visa.
The Trump administration have since claimed that Omar Abdulkadir Artan was flagged for terrorism concerns.
The country’s lack of gun control has also sparked debate, with nine injured in a shooting just a few miles from England’s training base in Kansas City two days ago.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.
