The Chelsea full-back experienced the ferocious heat in the United States while representing the Blues at the Club World Cup this summer and knows it will be challenging for the Three Lions to acclimatise to.

James said: "It's super difficult conditions to play in that heat, especially us playing in England - there's not anything like that before.

"Once you are out there you adapt the longer you are there, when you are settled in once place and try to limit the things you can.

"You feel the heat the minute you step outside the hotel. The conditions are super hot.

"They are difficult conditions to play in and the pitches when we were there weren't the greatest either and made it a little bit harder but hopefully by the time the World Cup comes around hopefully it's better."

FIFA have proposed the idea of later kick-off times and James believes that this will be a smart move.

The Blues captain said: "For sure, that would definitely help, later kick-offs when it's not so hot and humid. That would definitely help."

Asked if FIFA had contacted him for his views on the subject, James said: "No, I haven't been asked about my thoughts on kick-off times.

"I'm sure they will have asked someone. Maybe managers or people at the clubs. I'm sure they will have got some feedback."

The defender has endured a frustrating time with England at major tournaments so far during his career and is desperate to stay fit and prove that he is worthy of a place in Thomas Tuchel's XI.

James said: "Tournament football probably hasn't gone the way I would have dreamt it would go, but that's in the past. We're looking forward. I'm feeling good.

"I'm playing relatively well at the moment and I'm focused on staying healthy and performing week in, week out until this summer."