The recovery routine behind the world's top soccer teams

By JULIA REMILLARD, CONTENT CREATOR AND WRITER Published: 14:11, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 14:25, 24 July 2026 Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Most athletes dream of lifting a championship trophy. What fans rarely think about is what happens after the final whistle blows. The reality is that recovery has become just as important as training for many of the world's top soccer programs.  Between back-to-back matches, grueling travel schedules, and soaring summer temperatures, athletes are constantly looking for ways to help their bodies recharge before it's time to do it all over again.  Bring professional-inspired recovery into your own home with Sunlighten's premium infrared saunas.  Designed with wellness in mind, they're an easy way to prioritize relaxation and recovery as part of your everyday routine.  Inspired by the same type of recovery environments used by elite athletes, Sunlighten makes it easier than ever to elevate your wellness routine without leaving the comfort of home.  While supporters are busy debating goals and game-winning saves, recovery teams are working just as hard behind the scenes. This year's international tournament has made one thing especially clear: these players are pushing themselves to the limit.  Hydration breaks have become the norm, multiple matches have stretched into extra time, and muscle cramps have sidelined players during some of the biggest moments of the competition.  Recovery has become just as important as training, with infrared saunas playing a growing role in athlete wellness routines England's Ezri Konsa and Elliot Anderson both battled cramp during the quarterfinals, highlighting just how physically demanding the tournament has become. That is exactly why recovery has become such a major investment for elite teams. Alongside nutrition plans, sleep optimization, mobility work, massage therapy, and cold plunges, infrared sauna sessions have quietly earned a place inside the recovery environments of several top national soccer programs.  England and Argentina, both semifinalists, have incorporated Sunlighten infrared saunas and Ice Barrel cold therapy into their recovery facilities, while the Netherlands also utilized Sunlighten during its tournament cycle. It's a reminder that modern sports are about far more than what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch. Recovery isn't simply an afterthought anymore. Many teams now view it as another part of training itself! For more than 25 years, Sunlighten has been a leader in premium infrared wellness technology, designing infrared saunas that are now found everywhere from luxury wellness spaces to professional athletic environments.  Unlike a traditional sauna that primarily heats the surrounding air, infrared saunas use infrared light to create a different heating experience that many people incorporate into their wellness and recovery routines. While every team's recovery protocol looks a little different, many now rely on a combination of techniques rather than just one solution. Cold therapy, infrared sauna sessions, stretching, hydration, nutrition, and quality sleep all work together to help athletes prepare for the next challenge. An Ice Barrel cold plunge sits alongside a Sunlighten infrared sauna, highlighting the contrast therapy approach used in many elite recovery environments One recovery approach that's become increasingly popular is known as contrast therapy, where heat is followed by cold exposure. The combination of an infrared sauna session and a cold plunge has become a familiar sight in high-performance training facilities, giving athletes multiple tools to incorporate into their post-training routines. The best part? You no longer have to compete on the world's biggest stage to experience many of the same wellness practices. Whether you're training for a marathon, chasing a new personal best at the gym, or simply looking for new ways to unwind after a long day, infrared saunas have become increasingly accessible for everyday wellness enthusiasts. Infrared light has become an increasingly popular part of recovery routines, from elite athletic training facilities to home wellness spaces The hours between competitions can be just as valuable as the hours spent practicing. Every stretch, every meal, every night's sleep, and every recovery session is another opportunity to prepare for what's next. Fans may only see the celebrations after a victory, but much of the work happens long before kickoff and long after the stadium lights dim.  As this summer's biggest soccer tournament has shown, success isn't built solely through training. It's also built through recovery, and brands like Sunlighten are helping shape what that process looks like both for elite athletes and for anyone looking to bring a little championship-inspired wellness into their own routine. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.