World Cup fans complain that the Qatari hosts have overdone the air conditioning in stadiums

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Latest complaint from World Cup fans is that the stadiums are too COLD: Supporters in jerseys say Qatari hosts have overdone the air conditioning

  • The chilly air conditioning in Qatari stadiums has fans reaching for jerseys
  • There were initial fears that the harsh heat would be a problem for the World Cup
  • Fans are now complaining that it is too cold with temperatures dropping to 19C

It may be the first World Cup to be held in a blistering desert, but shivering fans complain that the stadiums are too cold.

Huge air-conditioning funnels send icy blasts around the stands.

Stung by skeptics who feared footballers would succumb to the harsh Middle East sun, Qatar has spent millions cooling its eight stadiums.

But fans said the hosts had gone too far, especially during evening games when the desert temperature dips from 30C (86F) to about 19C (66F).

Some England fans at the team’s opener against Iran were seen donning jerseys.

Chilly football fans complain Qatar's air-conditioned stadiums are 'too cold', with fans at the England v Iran match earlier this week seen grabbing jerseys and even putting on jackets

Chilly football fans complain Qatar’s air-conditioned stadiums are ‘too cold’, with fans at the England v Iran match earlier this week seen grabbing jerseys and even putting on jackets

Even local Qatari fan Faisal Rasheed, 40, had to wear his maroon sweatshirt, the color of his country’s flag. He said, “Actually, it’s too cold.”

Mario Sanchez, 33, a fan from Chicago, USA. He said, “It actually feels quite cold, but that’s because it’s very windy.”

When Qatar won the right to host the World Cup, there was consternation at the idea of ​​the tournament being played in summer temperatures in the Gulf state, which can reach 50°C.

Stung by skeptics who feared footballers would succumb to the harsh Middle East sun, Qatar has spent millions cooling its eight stadiums.  A family at the Khalifa International Stadium was seen wearing jerseys

Stung by skeptics who feared footballers would succumb to the harsh Middle East sun, Qatar has spent millions cooling its eight stadiums. A family at the Khalifa International Stadium was seen wearing jerseys

Even after authorities pushed back the date to make it the first-ever Winter World Cup, organizers pledged to make the pitches cool enough for the players.

The stadiums feature nozzles under the seats and giant vents at the top of the stands.

Saud Abdul Ghani – an engineer from the University of Qatar nicknamed ‘Dr Cool’ after spending 13 years working on the solar cooling system – said the heat had to be compensated to prevent fans from drying out from too much sweat.

However, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said the conditions were just right for the players on the pitch.  He added: '¿I think it was cold in the stands.  But as players it was the perfect temperature for us.  With the air conditioning system in place it's very good'

However, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said the conditions were just right for the players on the pitch. He added: “I think it was cold in the stands. But as players it was the perfect temperature for us. The air conditioning system is very good’

But supporters said his technology worked too well.

However, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said the conditions were just right for the players on the pitch.

He said, “I think it was cold in the stands. But as players it was the perfect temperature for us. The air conditioning system is very good.’