Swedish World Cup Team's Directive: Don't Sleep on the Plane

As the Swedish men's national football team prepares to depart for the World Cup in the United States, a key focus is placed on managing the effects of jet lag. Performance manager Niklas Egnell has issued directives to the players, emphasizing the importance of staying awake during the flight to Dallas, Texas, to help synchronize their body clocks with the new time zone.

“

Some will nap on the plane, but we want to push them as long as possible to keep them awake. When we land, we will have an activation session so that we stay awake.

Egnell detailed a comprehensive strategy to combat jet lag, which includes advice on coffee consumption, mobile phone usage, and wearing sunglasses. The team aims to minimize sleep disruption upon arrival, planning an "activation session" shortly after landing to keep players alert. This proactive approach is part of a broader effort to maximize player performance by optimizing recovery, with sleep being a critical component.

“

The foundation of all recovery will be diet, rest, sleep. We chase percentages (in maximizing performance) with various strategies, and sleep will be one of the most important parameters during this championship.

Preparations for the time difference began even before the team's departure, with players advised to "sleep bank" and adjust their circadian rhythms. Egnell noted that while basic sleep hygiene principles, like limiting screen time and maintaining a cool, dark sleeping environment, are fundamental, the team also employs subtle tactics, such as scheduling meals in Stockholm according to Dallas time.

“

It's the classic stuff, things we talk about with all our children, I almost said, but it's about putting away the mobile phone in time and having it reasonably cool and dark.

While sleep aids are not the preferred method, Egnell mentioned they are available as a last resort. Similarly, energy drinks are not provided by the team, but players receive guidance on when and how to use caffeine effectively for alertness and sleep regulation. Midfielder Mattias Svanberg shared his experience, noting his ability to perform even with imperfect sleep, and highlighted the use of activity trackers to monitor sleep quality and heart rate.

“

We have them in case, but it is not the first measure we want to take, nothing we advocate for.