England’s World Cup squad will encounter challenging humidity and a unique weather phenomenon called ‘corn sweat’ during their stay in the United States. The climate conditions will escalate as they progress in the tournament.
The team’s training base in Kansas City experiences average high temperatures ranging from 30-32°C (87°F–90°F). ‘Corn sweat’ refers to the high humidity levels caused by corn plants releasing substantial water vapor into the atmosphere during summer days in that region.
This natural process, known as evapotranspiration, can amplify the feeling of heat waves, elevating dew points into the 70s and posing risks for outdoor activities in July.
England’s training regimen is specifically tailored to acclimate the players to the extreme weather they may face during the tournament. The corn plants’ mechanism of drawing water from the soil and releasing it through their leaves to regulate temperature is akin to human perspiration.
Manager Thomas Tuchel selected the central US location to minimize travel time and prepare the team for potential matches in Mexico City in the later stages of the competition. If they advance as group winners, they are projected to face Mexico in Mexico City on July 6, with a 1 am kickoff UK time.
The renowned Azteca stadium in Mexico City, situated at altitude, is expected to present the most challenging conditions for the team if they reach that stage, pending completion of renovation works.
Local reports indicate that the stadium renovation project in Mexico is struggling to meet summer deadlines, with evening matches planned to mitigate the impact of extreme heat.
In Kansas City, ‘corn sweat’ can elevate humidity levels by 30 to 40 percent on hot days, transforming typical summer days into what locals describe as “three-shirt days,” hindering sweat evaporation and cooling mechanisms.
Heat, thunderstorms, and air quality issues arising from wildfires are anticipated to play a crucial role throughout the tournament. FIFA has mandated three-minute cooling breaks in each half of every match to combat the challenging weather conditions.
During the previous FIFA Club World Cup, six matches were disrupted by heat and thunderstorms, including a significant delay in a game involving Chelsea and Benfica. The incidents led the Chelsea manager at the time to question the suitability of the US as a tournament host.
In regions like the southern United States and Mexico, daytime temperatures typically range from the low to mid-30s °C (mid-90s °F) and can soar towards 40°C (104°F) during heatwaves.
Experts suggest that a summer air temperature of 32°C (90°F) in Miami could feel as high as 43°C (109°F) due to humidity levels. New York, the venue for this year’s World Cup final, could experience heatwave conditions with temperatures in the mid-30s °C (mid 90°F).
Summer thunderstorms are common in cities like Miami, Houston, and Atlanta, triggered by warm, humid conditions leading to frequent afternoon and evening storms. Safety measures dictate that play must be suspended if lightning is detected within 10 miles of a stadium.
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is used to assess physical heat stress on athletes, with a threshold of approximately 28°C (82°F) indicating significant concerns for elite players. A study projected that 14 of the 16 host cities could surpass this threshold during the tournament.
Certain host cities, including Miami, Houston, Dallas, Monterrey, Kansas City, and Atlanta, may experience extreme heat stress conditions with WBGT levels reaching at least 32°C (90°F). To address this, venues like Miami are scheduling evening matches, such as the Scotland versus Brazil game on June 24.
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