In the aftermath of World Cup 2018, some fans were complaining that high-ranking teams, above all previous finalists Germany and Argentina, did not “sweat” enough to deliver a stellar performance. This shouldn't be a problem in Qatar in 2022. The opening and final matches there are set to take place between 22 November and 18 December, but it will still be around 25-30 °C.

This is why scientists of the Qatar University College of Engineering are studying the “sweat factor” of fans and players. Models made of plastic (printing takes one week per piece) are placed in a wind tunnel in order to determine the best possible air distribution inside the buildings – information that should prove helpful when it comes to designing the gigantic air-conditioners that will be needed in the football stadiums. Though for most European fans, air conditioning won't be of much concern, as they will follow the games while eating Christmas cookies and drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream.