Guardian International6/4/2026Sports1 min read
2026 World Cup: The Science Behind the Tournament
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- As the 2026 World Cup approaches, scientists raise concerns about heat mitigation for players and referees, highlighting the tournament's significant fossil-fuel impact.
- The psychological effects of VAR are also discussed.
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It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To mark the occasion, Madeleine Finlay talks to Ian Sample about the science behind the tournament. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists have written to Fifa asking it to reconsider its heat mitigations for players and referees. Dr Oliver Gibson of Brunel University outlines their concerns. Also on the agenda is the huge fossil-fuel impact of the tournament, and the effect of VAR on the psychology of referees and fans.
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This article was originally published by Guardian International.
