# Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup

An episode of [Science Weekly](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/136697669), 4 Jun 2026, 21 min.

Audio: https://flex.acast.com/audio.guim.co.uk/2026/06/04-24167-gnl.sci.20260604.eb.football_science_new.mp3

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

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