There are undoubtedly all sorts of ways in which individual countries prepare for the World Cup, but there seems to be one guiding rule that unites the planet: no bumping uglies before game time.
According to PRI, this restriction dates back to the ancient Greeks, who “saw sperm as a source of masculinity and strength that sportsmen needed.” While the science on how shrimpin’ the barbie affects athletic performance is still out, coaches have imposed limits. In 2014, Team Mexico was ordered not to dip the wick throughout the entire tournament. The South Africa and UK delegations got similar instructions in 2010, which possibly led to England’s goalkeeper “dropping the ball in his own net in the first game.” Squads from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and Chile all stopped shaking the sheets in 2014 as well, according to the Independent, but there have been notable exceptions.
France makes no restrictions. Its team doctor actually advises that making l’amour is “relaxing” for footballers, so long as it doesn’t “become an all-night activity.” Joining the French is none other than the U.S. of A., whose team coach, Jürgen Klinsmann, told The Washington Post in 2014 that American players were free to shag to their hearts’ desire.
While most World Cup players refrain from doing the devil’s dance, it’s a whole other story with the spectators, who have apparently made something of their own sport out of the World Cup.