E114: The FIFA 2026 World Cup - A Challenging Environment and How Players should Prepare for it

What does it take to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? In this episode, host Martin Foster is joined by experts Dr Lee Taylor, Dr Chris Esh, Professor Christa Janse van Rensburg, and Dr Valérie Bougault to break down the science behind competing across extreme heat, altitude, long-haul travel, and challenging environments. From heat acclimation and recovery strategies to jet lag and air quality, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how teams prepare for football’s biggest stage. 2026 World Cup 3:46 Heat Preparation 5:45 Travel and Sleep 19:51 Altitude 29:11 Air Quality 40:07 Working together 49:21 Who is going to win? 54:35