World Cup fever – a study by Bielefeld University

Germany fans take the world cup opener against Curaçao in stride

Germany entered its opening match of the FIFA World Cup against Curaçao as the clear favorite. Accordingly, fans of the national team experienced the game in a relaxed manner: neither before nor after the match did they show any unusual sleep patterns. Sleep data largely matched those of the corresponding weekdays in the previous week. Stress levels around the match also remained unremarkable.

During the game, fans’ heart rates initially increased when Germany scored the opening goal to make it 1-0, but then declined noticeably. Following the surprising equalizer, heart rates rose again; however, by the time Schlotterbeck scored to make it 2-1, they had already returned to their baseline level. The penalty goal for 3-1 and Musiala’s quick strike after the restart to make it 4-1 caused another increase in heart rate. From the fans’ perspective, the match seemed decided at 4-1: heart rates then decreased steadily until the final whistle. Notably, heart rates were considerably lower than those recorded among fans during the 2025 German Cup final. Thus, Germany supporters were far less emotionally invested during the World Cup opener. The match against Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday is likely to be more competitive, as the favorite is less clearly defined. Accordingly, fan tension and excitement are expected to be higher.

Heat overshadows World Cup fever during Germany’s win over Côte d’Ivoire

Already in Germany’s opening match against Curaçao, fans remained largely relaxed overall: neither sleep nor stress levels showed any notable changes around the match.  After the opening win, the second group match against Côte d’Ivoire carried only limited sporting significance, as Germany’s progression was almost guaranteed.

Although fans’ heart rates reached their highest level when Germany fell behind 0–1, their vital signs reacted only moderately overall, even after Germany turned the match around late on. The fact that the winning goal led to only a slightly elevated average heart rate — despite striking parallels to Oliver Neuville’s nationally celebrated late winner in Germany’s second group match at the 2006 World Cup — may also be explained by the new World Cup format.

The data suggest that the heat played a central role. Fans already appeared to have slept worse than usual in the two nights before the match, meaning that many may have been exhausted by the late kick-off and therefore had less energy to experience the match emotionally.

For the final group match against Ecuador, only minor physical effects are again to be expected, given the continuing heat and the limited sporting significance of the match.

World Cup fever low during Germany’s final group-stage match

After Germany’s opening win against Curaçao, progression to the knockout stage was almost guaranteed. In the following days, it was mainly the heat that had Germany firmly in its grip – much more so than World Cup fever during the match against Côte d’Ivoire.

Germany’s final group-stage match against Ecuador also had little sporting significance from a German perspective, as first place in the group had already been secured. At the same time, the heatwave continued. On average, fans slept more than one hour less per night than in the previous week. Given the limited sporting significance and the oppressive heat, the late-evening match against Ecuador produced comparatively modest physical reactions. The strongest heart-rate response came with Germany’s 1–0 goal. By contrast, the fans took the 1–1 equaliser relatively calmly. As the match went on, the values continued to decline – presumably also due to the exhaustion of many fans. Even the 2–1 goal for Ecuador was barely reflected in the vital signs.

With today’s match in the round of 32 against Paraguay, things are now becoming serious again from a sporting perspective. With more moderate temperatures, fans should also be able to show stronger physical signs of excitement again.

Fans stay up late as Germany’s World Cup campaign ends

After Germany had practically secured qualification for the knockout stage with their opening win against Curaçao, the two remaining group-stage matches carried only limited sporting significance. In Monday night’s Round of 32 match, however, World Cup fever returned. Germany entered the game against Paraguay as clear favorites. When the underdogs took a 1–0 lead, fans’ physiological reactions were still relatively subdued. But after Germany equalized in the second half, tension continued to build. While heart rates had tended to decline late in the evening during Germany’s previous matches, the opposite happened this time: even after 1 a.m., fans became increasingly emotionally engaged. At the start of the penalty shootout, fans’ heart rates had already reached their highest level of the evening — and they rose even further during the dramatic finale. After the match, however, emotions quickly calmed down again.

Germany’s exit also brings our analyses of the German team’s matches to an end. Nevertheless, we will continue to follow with great interest how fans of Germany and all other teams experience the rest of the tournament. Registration remains open via uni-bielefeld.de/worlcupfever and fans of the teams still in the competition are especially welcome to take part. The key insight so far is clear: match events can have a strong physical effect on fans — especially when the outcome truly matters.

Argentinian fans deeply engaged in dramatic semi-final victory

Wednesday’s semi-final between Argentina and England ended in dramatic fashion. Argentina’s late second-half comeback secured a second consecutive World Cup final appearance. Smartwatch data from participating fans revealed three main findings:

• Argentinian fans recorded substantially higher heart rates during the second half, particularly after England scored the opening goal.
• Heart rates among England fans declined after Argentina’s equalizer, possibly reflecting growing expectations that their team would ultimately lose the match.
• Neutral viewers recorded substantially lower heart rates than supporters of either Argentina or England.

Spanish fans erupt as late winner decides World Cup final

Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina remained largely uneventful and goalless until Spain scored the decisive goal in extra time. Smartwatch data from participating Spanish and Argentinian supporters revealed three main findings:

• Spanish fans recorded substantially lower heart rates than Argentinian fans throughout most of regular time.
• Spanish fans heart rates rose sharply during extra time, particularly around Spain’s winning goal in the 106th minute.
• Argentinian fans maintained consistently elevated heart rates throughout the match, with a further increase during the tense closing minutes.

Media coverage

• "Wie sehr leiden Puls und Schlaf unter den späten WM-Spielen?" (RTL)
• "Wie stressig ist Fußballschauen fürs Herz?" (WDR 5 Neugier genügt)
• "Studie untersucht Fußballfieber zur WM" (WDR Lokalzeit)
• "Welches Land fiebert bei der WM am meisten mit?" (ARD Sportschau)
• "Uni Bielefeld untersucht internationales Fußballfieber" (WDR Online)
• "Toooor! Was macht Mitfiebern beim Fußball mit unserem Körper?" (SWR Kultur)
• "Smartwatch-Studie zur WM: Bielefelder Forscher messen das Fußballfieber" (Neue Westfälische)
• "Mitmachen bei WM-Studie: Wie stressig sind die Spiele?" (Westfalen-Blatt)
• "Studie untersucht Fußballfieber zur Weltmeisterschaft 2026" (Aktuell Uni Bielefeld)