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Science Weekly: heat stroke, sports washing, and the psychology of VAR: the science of the World Cup – podcast
6/4/202621 min
It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To celebrate, Madeleine Finlay sits down with Ian Sample to discuss the science behind the tournament. It’s set to be one of the hottest World Cups on record and a group of scientists has written to Fifa asking them to reconsider their 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 this tournament, and the impact of VAR on the psychology of referees, and fans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsOliver Gibson· Soundbite0:00
This is The Guardian.
Max Rushden· Host0:01
Hi, Pod fans. Max here. Uh, you're just about to hear an episode of Science Weekly recorded especially for us by their team. They are answering questions on how the extreme heat will affect players, the climate impact of the World Cup, and even the psychology of VAR. If you enjoy it, you should definitely go and subscribe to the excellent Science Weekly podcast available wherever you listen to this.
Madeleine Finlay· Host0:26
[instrumental music] It's just a week until the first whistle blows at the 2026 World Cup in North America and Mexico. Temperatures are set to be sweltering, and a group of scientists is raising the alarm about the impact on players and the quality of the game. Heat is also on FIFA as campaigners call out their fossil fuel sponsorship. Is it another own goal for their climate strategy? And spare a thought for the refs. On top of the climate, they're having to deal with a stepped up VAR system this year. How will it impact their decisions? [instrumental music] Our Football Weekly colleagues asked us to look into the science of the World Cup and, well, how could we refuse? From The Guardian, I'm Madeleine Finlay, and this is Science Weekly.