Russian’s World Cup Causes Weather Concerns

This year, the 21st World Cup will be held in 13 different host cities in Russia. The climate of the location is always a large impact in the performance of players, causing them to even train differently to prepare for the event.

Luckily, the Russian cities are all located in the western regions of the country. The climate their during the summer is mild and temperate, unlike the 2016 World Cup which was held in Brazil. The excruciating heat caused dehydration in athletes, making water breaks mandatory for the soccer players. This year in Russia, the weather is expected to be a comfortable 65-75 degrees between the dates of the World Cup from June 14th to July 15th.

Altitude also affects the climate of the world cup. There is less oxygen in stadiums above sea level, causing heavier breathing which can tire out the athletes quicker. Lastly, the two main weather conditions to look out for are unexpected cold fronts and rain.

When cold spells come, athletes’ muscles tighten up, making their movements more rigid and it harder to play for longer periods of time. When unexpected rain hits, the field becomes slippery and the ball is known to bounce more erratically. If either of these conditions hit in Russia this year, it could seriously impact the outcome of the 2018 World Cup.