Stuttgart sweeps and defends its Cup crown

Club Olimpia of Paraguay announced the signing of New Zealand defender Tim Payne for next season. The 28-year-old player signed a one-year contract after an unexpected viralization on social networks.

Payne became a global phenomenon when the Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, known as El Scarso, pointed out him as the footballer with the fewest followers on Instagram during the World Cup. His account went from 4,700 to 5.8 million followers in a matter of days.

That exhibition attracted the interest of clubs from Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and Paraguay. Finally, Payne opted for the Paraguayan team, one of the most successful on the continent.

“It was not an easy decision,” Payne stated. “Seven years at Wellington Phoenix, 149 games… To the fans, my teammates and those who supported me, thank you.”

The defender was excited about the new challenge. It will compete in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.

“To test myself at the top of South American football is one of the most incredible opportunities I could have asked for as a professional,” he said.

Olimpia has just won its 48th title in the Paraguayan Apertura Tournament.

“It is one of the biggest clubs in South America, with history, passionate fans and great ambitions,” added Payne.

With his arrival, the New Zealander will seek to consolidate himself in a demanding football and maintain the level that led him to be international.

Mandatory breaks of three minutes each time

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA ordered that all players take a hydration break halfway through each half. The measure seeks to protect them from extreme heat, but it is already generating criticism.

Some experts warn that the 2026 World Cup, organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada, could be the hottest in history. In response, FIFA implemented breaks regardless of temperature or whether stadiums have roofs or air conditioning.

Is three minutes enough?

Scientists say three-minute breaks are too short to cool down and rehydrate in sweltering conditions. Yuri Hosokawa, from Waseda University in Japan, was one of the specialists who signed a letter to FIFA asking for at least six minutes.

“When we look at three-minute pauses, we see them as a way to mitigate anything that could lead to an emergency,” said Joshua L. DeVincenzo of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University.

Critics also maintain that the interruption cuts off the pace of play and gives coaches the opportunity to change the momentum of the game. Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, acknowledged that they take advantage of them:

“Really, I think we took advantage of the regulations. They don’t let you enter the field, but when the players drink water they receive some instructions. You take advantage, you see something to correct it.”

The real risk of heat stroke

High-performance athletes can suffer from exertion-induced heat illness. When the core temperature exceeds 40.5°C (105°F), confusion, aggression, or loss of consciousness may occur, signs of heat stroke that require immediate medical attention.

Dehydration exacerbates the risks. Athletes can lose 1 to 2 liters of sweat per hour. Losing just 2% of body weight due to dehydration impairs performance.

Ryan Calsbeek of Dartmouth University explained that when globe and wet bulb temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F), physiological mechanisms collapse. “It’s those marginal differences in performance that can determine the outcome of a match,” he said.

Cooling down in three minutes

A 2024 study showed that a three-minute break reduces core temperature by about 0.4°C under ideal conditions: drinking 350-400 ml of cold water and applying a cold towel to the shoulders. But Douglas Casa of the Korey Stringer Institute warned: “Even in ideal settings, breaks help slightly, but they do not eliminate the risk.”

Julien Périard, co-author of the study, pointed out that it is key that those three minutes are well planned. Bharat Venkat of the UCLA Heat Lab added that breaks are crucial so that the body is not forced to cool down relentlessly.

As the planet warms, sports will have to make adjustments to climate change. FIFA says the rules are based on experience from previous tournaments, such as the Club World Cup in the United States last summer.

The Swiss team beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 at the Los Angeles Stadium, in a match that was resolved in the last 25 minutes after a start with little offensive rhythm.

Late goals define the match

The score remained intact until the 74th minute. It was then when Johan Manzambi opened the scoring and broke the Bosnian resistance. With the wider spaces, Switzerland accelerated. Rubén Vargas extended the lead in the 84th minute, and Manzambi scored his double in the 90th minute.

In added time, Bosnia scored through Ermin Mahmic in the 93rd minute. However, in the last play of the match, captain Granit Xhaka converted a penalty in the 97th minute to seal the final victory.

The duel, of a friendly nature, was played on American territory and offered a dizzying closing that concentrated all the scores in less than half an hour.