How to cope with the highest level of sports competition in an environment that can exceed 30 degrees Celsius? Temperatures at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar could be dangerous for soccer players.
For the first time, the FIFA World Cup will be held in the Middle East. Unprecedentedly, Qatar was chosen as the venue and the tournament had to be moved from June to November. This is because the Qatar World Cup matches in June are almost impossible due to the scorching heat.
Even if the World Cup schedule is moved, there is no avoiding the typical heat of Qatar . In this article, we will take a look at the expected temperature during the Qatar World Cup and how it can affect players’ stamina.
What is the temperature at the World Cup in Qatar?
If the Qatar World Cup was held between June and July, players would have to endure temperatures of 45°C to a maximum of 50°C. Of course, this is impossible, so the Qatar World Cup officially kicks off on Sunday, November 20th.
But that doesn’t mean that Qatar is cooler at this time of year, but it’s far more suitable for playing football than in June or July.
Qatar’s winter starts in December and ends in March. Summer, starting in April, is hot and humid, and wind gusts called ‘Shamal’ can create strong gusts of dust and sand.
During the best sporting events, the temperature at the World Cup venue is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. However, several meteorological offices detailed that even in winter there may be days that exceed this maximum temperature.
Technology to overcome the high temperature of the Qatar World Cup
Qatar World Cup Air Conditioning
The stadium operates air conditioning in preparation for the high temperature of the World Cup.
In order to facilitate the activities of players, journalists, and fans participating in the game, a solar power cooling system is installed to maintain the proper temperature inside the stadium.
Some matches are played earlier, between 1:00 and 6:00 pm, which the organizers have decided to take into account the sun and heat as much as possible.
How heat affects athletes
The high temperatures at the World Cup venues have the potential to put significant physical strain on players. This is especially true when teams from far away and competitions are extended.
One of the main risks is dehydration. When you sweat a lot in the heat, your body loses not only water but also electrolytes. Maintaining stable body fluid levels will be key to preventing athlete injuries and general health problems.
Another potential risk is heat stroke. It occurs when the body temperature exceeds 40 °C and can have fatal consequences due to the loss of body fluids and salts essential for human function.
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Therefore, if the skin is red and there are symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fever, etc., it is good to stay in a place where the proper temperature is maintained and moisture can be consumed. To prevent heat stroke, it is better to reduce physical activity during hot hours.
Professional soccer players cannot always avoid such times, so other precautions must be taken, such as wearing appropriate uniforms, drinking plenty of fluids, and not overeating prior to exposure to the heat.
Sun rays, another risk factor in Qatar’s World Cup
Finally, sunstroke is also a threat to consider. Some World Cup stadiums have roofs, but many are exposed to the sun.
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Playing near noon in Qatar can expose athletes to excessive sun exposure. Excessive sun exposure can cause problems such as skin burns and immune system disorders.
Temperatures will be high during the World Cup in Qatar, and insolation can affect athletes’ performance in sports.
Weather to decide the outcome of a historic tournament?
At the sports level, the Qatar World Cup will surely go down in football history. Aside from what happens on the pitch, it goes without saying that this will be the last World Cup for tall players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and maybe even Neymar.
Temperatures at this World Cup will also be an almost unprecedented milestone. As with World Cups held in the cold southern hemisphere winters of June and July, such as Argentina in 1978 and South Africa in 2010, environmental conditions affect many aspects of the tournament. Necessary precautions should be taken to minimize risks.
