According to Norwegian sports medicine researcher Torstein Lorentsen-Dalen, research indicates that there is around a four percent greater probability of winning per degree difference in temperature between the teams' accustomed climates. This means hypothetically that if Senegal, accustomed to 30 degrees, meets Norway, which is accustomed to 20 degrees, Senegal has a 40 percent greater chance of winning.
Norway "is down" by 0.6 goals before kick-off, he says.
To reduce the advantage of nations from warmer climates, teams such as Norway and Sweden are adapting to the heat ahead of the World Cup. However, to achieve the full effect, they need to be in the warmer climate for at least two weeks.
Norway will face Senegal in the World Cup on June 23.
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