As England prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, Thomas Tuchel’s side has been relying on a secret weapon to combat the extreme heat in America: a thermoregulation drink called CoreCtrl, created by triathlete Alistair Brownlee’s nutrition brand, Truefuels.
The drink, which contains active components such as L-Taurine and a mint flavour, is scientifically formulated to help the body cool down more effectively and delay performance declines during intense sprinting sessions. Tuchel’s sports science team placed a significant pre-tournament order for CoreCtrl, the Mirror reports.
“England use secret cooling drinks and ice slushies as they face Argentina in World Cup semi-final.”
During the two mandatory three-minute hydration breaks – typically around the 22nd minute of the first half and the 67th minute of the second half – England players sip from custom pouches that contain a special high-sodium electrolyte mix created by Lucozade specifically for the team. Because Lucozade is not an official FIFA sponsor, the logos are covered with stickers. Team nutritionists prohibit plain water in these conditions, as it can pass through the body as urine without effectively rehydrating cells.
The staff has also made extensive use of custom ice slushies, which help lower the body’s core temperature much more quickly than drinking liquids alone, keeping the cardiovascular system stable. The team’s entertainment has been boosted by naming the re… (the report cuts off).
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has sent a penalty message as England brace for a potential shootout, according to the Standard. Pickford has a history of heroics in high-profile shootouts, adding confidence to a side that knows the pain of past penalty defeats against Argentina – most famously in the 1998 World Cup last-16 clash, when England lost on spot-kicks after David Beckham’s red card.
Jude Bellingham scored both goals in England’s 2-1 win against Norway last week, setting up this semi-final showdown. With heat management a major focus of Tuchel’s strategy, the combination of CoreCtrl, high-sodium electrolytes and ice slushies could prove decisive in the sweltering conditions expected on Wednesday.