Read 3 minutes14 June 2026 02:47 PM IST
With soaring temperatures one of the biggest talking points at the FIFA World Cup in North America, Spain has introduced a new cooling system to help players cope with the demanding conditions during training.
According to Spanish daily Marca, members of Luis de la Fuente’s squad, including teenage star Lamine Yamal, have started using specially designed cooling vests as part of preparations for their tournament opener against Cape Verde.
The wearable technology, developed by Adidas under its CLIMACOOL SYSTEM, aims to reduce the physical impact of training in hot weather. The vest has a frozen gel that slowly absorbs heat from the athlete’s upper body, while the insulated jacket helps prolong the cooling effect. The entire system also includes cooling overshoes designed to lower body temperature before and after intense sessions.
Adidas said the system is based on thermal management research developed with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team before being adapted for football. The company hopes the technology will help players cope with prolonged heat exposure during the most physically demanding World Cup in history.
The Spanish Football Federation says the equipment can lower an athlete’s core body temperature by up to 0.5 degrees Celsius and skin temperature by up to 13 degrees, giving players a better chance of maintaining performance and recovering more quickly between sessions.
Although Spain’s opener against Cape Verde will be played at Atlanta’s indoor stadium, the team has been training at an outdoor base in Chattanooga, Tennessee, giving the players an early taste of the challenges that await during the tournament.
Physical conditioning has become a major focus for the European champions, especially after several key players arrived in camp with minor injuries. Both Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams have resumed full training in recent days, giving Spain a timely boost ahead of their campaign.
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Spain is one of 14 national teams to use the technology during the World Cup, where extreme heat and humidity have forced many teams to rethink their training methods. The tournament is being held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with many locations experiencing high daytime temperatures.
Spain begin their quest for a second World Cup title against Cape Verde on Monday.