Elite football teams are increasingly treating recovery as a core part of performance, alongside training, because congested fixtures, travel, heat and extra time place heavy physical demands on players. The article highlights the trend through a promotional focus on infrared saunas, arguing that recovery staff work to help athletes prepare for subsequent matches.

It says England and Argentina used Sunlighten infrared saunas and Ice Barrel cold therapy in their recovery facilities, while the Netherlands also used Sunlighten during its tournament cycle. England players Ezri Konsa and Elliot Anderson reportedly suffered cramp in the quarter-finals; teams commonly combine hydration, nutrition, sleep, stretching, massage, mobility work, cold therapy and sauna sessions.