World Cup Bugs: Flies, Mosquitoes Swarm Athletes, Fans in Russia

The World Cup is being swarmed by bugs, with clouds of flies and mosquitoes descending on athletes, fans, and journalists in Volgograd, Russia.

Helicopters sprayed insecticide over Volgograd Arena before Monday's game between England and Tunisia, USA Today reported.

The stadium, near the bank of the Volga River, will host four games.

Despite the use of insecticide in and around the stadium, the bugs were thick during England’s 2-1 victory over Tunisia, The New York Times reported.

Journalists donned netting, sprayed insect repellent, and canceled live shots in response to the bugs.

German TV coverage on in our Moscow hotel... pitchside presenter in Volgograd has gone full bee-keeper. pic.twitter.com/GduVYZ0XPk

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) June 18, 2018

First time for everything: Just had to abort going live on Sky Sports News with seconds to spare because of invasion of flies outside England team hotel. Big problem here in Volgograd. Helicopters have been spraying insecticide over the stadium this week

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) June 17, 2018

@Natpirks 1 - Mosquitoes 0. Lets hope they don’t come out tomorrow night for the #England game #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/k8uS27XZMC

— Rachel Price (@NewsCamerawoman) June 17, 2018

Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, is one of 11 Russian cities hosting the World Cup. The stadium's proximity to the river, which is a fertile breeding ground for insects, increases the bug problem, The Weather Channel noted.

The arena will host Nigeria vs. Iceland on June 22, Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt on the June 25 and Japan vs. Poland on June 28.

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