How does the weather affect football tactics in the context of the World Cup

There is a lot of talk about the heat in which World Cup matches will be played, and this will naturally affect tactical approaches and performances on the pitch. However, the impact of weather goes beyond match day conditions. Some prominent soccer coaches, such as Arsène Wenger and Fabio Capello, argue that a country's climate directly influences the style of soccer that is played there, shaping the players it develops. Weather can therefore shape football in two ways: immediately, by changing what teams can do during a match, and long-term, by influencing how subsequent generations of players train and develop. The 2024 study assessed the impact of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed on the technical performance of teams in the Champions League, collecting data from five seasons. Warmer temperatures led to fewer counter-attack shots, fewer successful dribbles and an increase in long-range shots.  The current Premier League season has seen an increase in the use of strong wingers, capable of one-on-one play, as a way to break down defenses. The England squad, which includes the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka, reflects this trend. However, these tactics are more difficult to execute in the heat, which will be interesting to watch during the tournament. The weather not only affects individual players' performances during the match, but also has wider implications. Former Chelsea coach Gianluca Vialli explored the impact of weather conditions on the nation's football philosophy in his book The Italian Job. A quote from former England manager Fabio Capello stands out in his work. “It's about the climate,” Capello said. "I talked about it at length when I went to Scotland to see [former national team coach] Andy Roxburgh. I was working with the Scottish youth team and I had them do the same exercises as in Italy. I realized that between the wind, rain and cold there was no way to do them. How can you teach anyone anything in such conditions?" Ultimately, the impact of weather on football is complex and multidimensional, influencing the development of tactics and football education. In the context of the upcoming World Cup, observing how teams adapt their strategies to the prevailing conditions will be crucial to understanding the development of modern football.