England will experiment with water breaks during their friendly against Japan at Wembley to prepare for the extreme heat expected at this summer's World Cup in North America. Manager Thomas Tuchel requested the hydration pauses in the 22nd and 67th minutes to mirror tournament conditions where every match will feature three-minute breaks.

The decision comes as FIFA prioritizes player welfare amid concerns about playing in the summer heat across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Tuchel emphasized the importance of familiarizing his squad with these interruptions before their opening match against Croatia on June 17. The German coach noted that England had wanted similar breaks during their previous match against Uruguay, but the South American team refused.

In addition to the water breaks, England and Japan have agreed to allow 11 substitutions during the match, exceeding the standard five permitted in regular fixtures. This follows recent International Football Association Board changes allowing up to eight substitutions in friendlies from July 1, with the possibility of increasing to 11 if both teams consent. The experimental rules reflect both teams' focus on preparation and player management ahead of major tournaments.