Hydration breaks, ice jackets, cooling towels and isotonic drinks have already featured heavily at this World Cup due to soaring temperatures.

While some fixtures took place in air-conditioned venues across North America with milder readings, Scotland now face much tougher conditions ahead.

Their opening victory against Haiti in Boston occurred at roughly 25C, yet the return to the same stadium versus Morocco features an earlier start time that will bring greater warmth.

Forecasts indicate around 27C at kick-off on Friday (23:00 BST), while the concluding group fixture against Brazil in Miami next Wednesday looks set to be hotter still.

Readings may exceed 30C for that contest, and with humidity close to 80 percent the perceived temperature will feel significantly higher.

Scotland have trained for these challenges, even if manager Steve Clarke appeared relaxed during sessions.

The team arrived in Fort Lauderdale early in June to begin adapting to the climate without delay.

Sun cream, visible tan lines and ice buckets marked training sessions ahead of their final warm-up success over Bolivia in New York.

Their base in Charlotte, North Carolina lies midway between Boston and Miami, where temperatures have already reached 30C.

Prior to departure some players visited the University of the West of Scotland to experience simulated Florida heat inside an environmental chamber.

"Scotland have now spent 10 or 12 days on site, allowing solid acclimatisation to the conditions," explained Vish Unnithan, professor of sports science at the university, to BBC Scotland.

"Sustaining hydration levels alongside nutritional recovery will prove vital. High-intensity work in heat accelerates depletion of carbohydrate stores.

Scotland's nutrition team must therefore ensure carbohydrate intake remains optimal throughout."

Unnithan noted that players sweat at varying rates, leading to tailored hydration plans with personalised gels and fluids provided accordingly.

Match approach in these conditions will also matter greatly.

The encounter with Haiti proved tense, featuring frequent turnovers in a frantic contest.

Scotland held just 46 percent possession against the group's weakest opponent, underlining the need to retain the ball more effectively against Morocco and Brazil amid heat and humidity.

Graeme Souness led Scotland against Brazil during the sweltering 1982 meeting in Seville.

"Retaining possession becomes critical in heat because repeated giveaways invite punishment," he told the BBC.

"In the second half versus Haiti while protecting the lead, greater care with the ball was required. Quality players maintain possession."

Former striker Stuart McCall expects Clarke to drop one forward and strengthen midfield for added energy and control.

"I anticipate Lawrence Shankland being omitted in favour of another midfielder," he said to BBC Scotland.

"That could mean Ryan Christie or Kenny McLean partnering Lewis Ferguson, freeing Scott McTominay to operate further forward."

Hydration breaks scheduled around the 22-minute mark of each half offer valuable recovery moments that Scotland intend to maximise.

During last summer's Club World Cup in the United States, sides such as Bayern Munich kept substitutes inside air-conditioned rooms during the opening period to avoid excess heat on the bench.

Ultimately the weather must influence both preparation and in-game decisions.