England's Rice on World Cup heat and sunburn

Key facts

• England's Harry Kane and Declan Rice have signed deals with wearable tech company Oura.
• The players will wear Oura smart rings during the World Cup to monitor sleep and recovery.
• Oura rings track data on sleep, recovery, and balance.
• Kane stated that precise recovery is key to gaining an edge on the world stage.
• Oura has a partnership with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

England football stars Harry Kane and Declan Rice have signed long-term endorsement deals with Oura, a company specializing in wearable technology. The players are set to wear Oura smart rings during the upcoming World Cup, a device designed to help monitor sleep and recovery metrics.

Kane expressed that in major tournaments, optimizing every percentage point matters, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to push the body and prioritize recovery for competitive gains. Rice echoed this sentiment, stating that taking care of oneself physically, mentally, and through recovery is essential when competing at the highest level.

Both players join a roster of athletes and events partnered with Oura, including Team USA's FIFA World Cup team and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Oura's smart rings measure data points related to sleep, recovery, and balance, aiming to provide a clearer view of overall health compared to wrist-based wearables.

This development comes amidst discussions about wearable technology in sports, following controversy at the Australian Open earlier in the year. England's World Cup campaign begins against Croatia in Dallas, followed by matches against Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey. Manager Thomas Tuchel has indicated that players are expected to face significant challenges due to the heat, with FIFA having introduced drinks breaks during matches to mitigate the effects of high temperatures.