Hodgson’s visit ends concerns over Brazil heat
ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists the heat in Manaus is not a cause for concern, following yesterday’s visit to the city which will host their World Cup opener with Italy on 14 June.
Hodgson had said prior to the draw for the group stage that the Arena Amazonia in Manaus was “a place to avoid” due to the high temperatures and 95 per cent humidity encountered there.
However, yesterday, he said: “It is hot here, but World Cups are played in the summer, that is something you have to come to terms with. It was hot in South Africa [last World Cup].
“It was important for me to have a taste of it, though the FA [Football Association] have already done good preparation work.”
England will base themselves in Rio and play their other two group matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte respectively.