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Football
Experts urge FIFA to lower heat thresholds and extend cooling breaks as climate models predict dangerous conditions for the 2026 World Cup.
Twenty experts from Europe, North America, and Australia have issued urgent warnings to FIFA, arguing that the current safety protocols are insufficient for the extreme heat expected during the 2026 World Cup. In an open letter, the researchers demand that matches be postponed or halted when the heat stress index exceeds 28 degrees Celsius, a significant reduction from the current threshold of 32 degrees.
FIFA’s existing measures include three-minute cooling breaks per half, air-conditioned benches for substitutes and staff, and reliance on the WBGT index—a metric that factors in temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed. Health and climate scientists, however, assert that these standards no longer align with today’s climate realities.
The experts call for cooling periods to be extended to at least six minutes and for improved cooling infrastructure within stadiums. Recent studies indicate that roughly a quarter of tournament matches could be played under dangerous thermal conditions, with at least five games reaching levels where postponement is recommended to protect player safety.
Reports further warn that 14 of the 16 host stadiums are vulnerable to high temperatures, particularly in cities like Miami, Philadelphia, and Kansas City, where open-air venues lack full cooling systems. Miami has drawn particular concern: climate models predict that every match held there will exceed recommended heat stress levels. The final, scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, also faces elevated risk due to the potential for extreme heat during play.
The warnings are not limited to players. Scientists caution that hundreds of thousands of fans in stands and open areas could face serious health complications, especially the elderly and those with chronic conditions. The experts urge an increase in water stations, shaded areas, and cooling zones both inside and around stadiums.
FIFA has stated that player and fan health is a top priority, emphasizing that it continuously studies climate risks as part of its operational planning for the tournament, with the possibility of adjusting procedures based on evolving weather conditions. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19.
