The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being played under intense heat conditions, and the question of which players and teams are coping best has emerged as one of the tournament's defining storylines.

Sky Sports Football analyst Nick Wright has examined the data to identify who is thriving and who is struggling against the gruelling physical demands of the competition.

The numbers reveal a clear divide between the sides that have adapted their play to the conditions and those who have been worn down by the relentless heat — shedding new light on some of the tournament's most surprising results so far.

Wright's analysis suggests that physical preparation and squad depth are proving as decisive as tactical quality, with teams able to rotate and maintain intensity across their rosters gaining a measurable edge over opponents.

For individual players, the data points to those operating at the highest levels of output despite the demanding environment, underlining how elite conditioning has become central to success at this World Cup.

As the tournament progresses into its latter stages, the teams and players who have mastered the heat will likely continue to separate themselves from the rest of the field.