Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup—and the Death of Early Retirement
Argentina’s Lionel Messi was supposed to be done years ago. Now, sports science is helping soccer’s biggest stars rewrite the rules of aging.
What Watching a Soccer Final Does to Your Body, According to Science
A recent study tracked hundreds of soccer fans until their favorite team reached the final of a tournament. Their stress levels skyrocketed, and their heart rates jumped too.
Why Do Some Soccer Players Cut the Heels Off Their Cleats?
An image of Portugal forward Pedro Neto’s cleats at the World Cup has reignited a practice among some soccer players: modifying their cleats to relieve heel discomfort.
The Science Behind Why Soccer Players at the 2026 World Cup Are Cutting Their Socks
Holes in socks have become a curious sight at this year’s World Cup. The reasons why are a weird mix of biomechanics, perception, and player habits.
Mexico’s Victory Over Ecuador Made the Ground Shake. Was It an Artificial Earthquake?
Fans’ euphoric reactions to the Mexican national team’s recent victory in the 2026 World Cup caused a series of unusual vibrations that were detected by seismic warning systems.
Penalty Shootouts: Is the Team That Kicks First More Likely to Win?
Penalty kicks are already proving critical to big wins at this year’s World Cup. But the advantage in penalty kicks has more to do with psychological effects than who kicks first.
Every Time Norway Scores at the World Cup the City of Bergen Trembles
This curious phenomenon was documented by the seismometer at the University of Bergen, which recorded slight vibrations whenever the national team scored a goal.
How Mexican World Cup Stadiums Achieved FIFA’s Environmental Certifications
Venues hosting the 2026 World Cup must meet high standards to obtain environmental certifications, but FIFA also requires that they use natural grass, which is water-intensive to maintain.