Scotland stars will feel like they are "playing underwater" when they go to Miami, according to US-based former Caley Thistle and Dundee player Nick Ross.
Steve Clarke's side will face extreme conditions for their final match in the group against Brazil in Miami, with plenty of warnings already dished out by health authorities to players and fans because of the heat and humidity.
Globetrotting midfielder Ross currently plays for Californian outfit Monterey Bay in the USL Championship and helped Caley Thistle win the 2015 Scottish Cup. He moved to Dens Park before spells at Sepsi in Romania before playing for three clubs in the USA.
And although the 34-year-old is convinced Scotland will do well, he's admitted conditions could be highly testing. He said: "Scotland's main strength is that the squad has been together for a long time. All the players are comfortable with each other and understand the expectations of the fans.
"But a potential challenge for the team could be playing in the heat of the USA during the summer. I've been playing here for seven years and I still find it difficult to play in the heat.
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"Scotland play Brazil in Miami in their final group game and I can't explain how tough those conditions will be for a Scottish player. The humidity there makes you feel like you're playing underwater and we Scots are only used to cold and rain.
"I hope we live up to the expectations and don't freeze on the big stage. We will have a huge number of fans who will travel to support the team no matter what happens, so I hope the players give them something to celebrate.
"I am even more excited to watch the games now because my three-year-old son is starting to get a taste for football and it's special to share these moments with him.
"We are based on being a solid and hard-to-beat defensive unit, this comes largely from Steve Clarke. We also have some top players who consistently deliver in big matches and this has been a big factor in our recent success.
"The Denmark game was probably the most beautiful feeling I've ever experienced watching a football match because it's been so long since we've qualified for a World Cup that it's made it even more special to finally get there again."
