World Cup heat could endanger players and fans

Just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup finals, international warnings are escalating regarding the climate risks that players and fans may face during the anticipated tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These concerns are rising amid increasing fears about the impact of high temperatures and high humidity on physical safety and athletic performance.

The Reuters revealed that about 20 international scientists and experts in health, climate, and sports performance directed an open letter to FIFA, in which they asserted that currently approved heat management protocols are “insufficient” and do not align with the latest scientific studies related to heat stress in sports.

High heat, elevated humidity, and solar radiation

According to the report, experts warned that the danger is not solely linked to temperature but is exacerbated by high humidity and intense solar radiation. This combination increases fluid loss and raises the likelihood of muscle cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke, especially given the congested match schedule and the staging of some matches during daytime hours.

The experts, according to Reuters, indicated that some host cities might experience temperatures ranging between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius during the summer tournament. They called for extending mandatory cooling breaks to at least six minutes, in addition to postponing or rescheduling matches when climatic conditions reach levels that threaten player safety.

World Cup and the impact of climate change on football

For its part, The Guardian newspaper, in its report, focused on the broader climate dimension of the tournament, suggesting that the 2026 World Cup could turn into an “unprecedented test” of global football’s ability to adapt to the repercussions of climate change.

The British newspaper explained that the risks of extreme heat have doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States, due to globally rising temperatures in recent decades. It also pointed out that several American and Mexican cities are likely to register very high temperatures during matches, particularly during daytime fixtures.

According to The Guardian, the concerns are not limited to players but also extend to fans, with expectations that spectators will be exposed to long periods of direct heat inside the stadiums and surrounding open areas.

Unsafe climatic conditions

BBC Sport highlighted the position of the professional players’ union, FIFPRO, which considered some expected climatic conditions during the tournament to be “unsafe” for players, especially with the increasing match congestion in modern football.

The British network clarified that FIFA is already considering a series of protective measures, including implementing mandatory cooling breaks during both halves of matches, providing air-conditioned benches for substitutes and technical staff, and continuously monitoring heat and humidity levels inside the stadiums.

BBC also mentioned the possibility of adjusting the timing of some matches to avoid peak heat hours, as the international federation seeks to reduce health risks for both players and fans.

As part of fan protection plans, FIFA is working to provide shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses, increase water distribution points, and allow closed water bottles into matches held in extremely hot conditions.

With mounting scientific warnings and pressure from players’ unions, the 2026 World Cup appears not just to be a global football event, but a real test of football’s ability to confront the challenges of a changing climate, in a tournament that may be held under one of the most severe thermal environments in World Cup history.

Featured image via Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images