England assured that big World Cup problem will go away when playing Argentina
So far, England has faced some tough conditions at this summer’s World Cup, but their upcoming semi-final against Argentina should give them a nice break.
From playing at high altitude in Mexico to dealing with the hot 33°C weather in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium during their quarter-final against Norway, England has really had to fight against the weather. After a long, hard season, some players have looked a bit tired. The long, exhausting 120-minute win over Norway wasn’t the easiest preparation for their next big game in Atlanta.
The good news is the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the semi-final will be held, is well set up for hot weather. It’s actually one of only three stadiums in the tournament with air conditioning. The stadium can hold 75,000 fans and has a cool retractable roof system that closes when it gets hotter than 32°C, keeping the inside chilled and comfortable.
Compared to the tough conditions in Mexico and Miami, the weather in Atlanta should be much easier for England, says former USA player Jonathan Spector, who also played for Manchester United. In an exclusive talk with SPORTbible, Spector shared what England can expect.
“I don’t think they need to worry about the heat,” he said. “It’s an air-conditioned stadium, the weather is great, no humidity, and the grass pitch is perfect. The climate won’t cause any problems for the team.”
He did point out one small difference: England will be travelling into Atlanta for the game, while Argentina is already based there. But so far, England’s travel routine has worked well for them.
When asked if there’s any humidity inside when the roof is closed, Spector was clear: “No, I’ve been inside for every game, and there’s no greenhouse effect because the air conditioning works great in this brand new stadium. The temperature stays comfortable around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so it won’t affect the players at all.”
“Compared to the Azteca Stadium and Miami, the whole atmosphere and the conditions here are completely different and much better.”