Scientists and climate experts have warned that players and fans could face dangerous heat conditions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging FIFA to strengthen its safety measures before the tournament begins.
As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, in an open letter signed by medical experts, climate researchers, and sports scientists, the group called on FIFA to adopt stricter heat protection standards proposed by FIFPRO, the global football players’ union.
The experts warned that rising temperatures across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the three host nations for the 2026 tournament, could place athletes and spectators at serious risk.
“Player safety is an immediate and urgent concern because things can go wrong very quickly when people overheat,” said Andrew Simms, who coordinated the letter.
“We’re worried that FIFA is playing recklessly with the health and safety of players,” Simms added.
The worries stem from a new analysis by the World Weather Attribution group, which discovered that around one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played in temperatures exceeding 26°C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a crucial indicator used to determine heat stress.
Scientists also warned that around five matches might reach 28°C WBGT, which FIFPRO considers unhealthy for professional football.
Experts estimate the risk of excessive heat during the tournament has roughly doubled since the 1994 World Cup, which was also held in North America.
In addition to heatwaves, scientists cautioned that thunderstorms and wildfire smoke could disrupt matches throughout the summer competitions.
Scientists believe FIFA will change its policies before the tournament starts next summer.
FIFA responded by announcing a “tiered heat mitigation model” for the competition, with safety precautions altered based on real-time weather conditions.
A FIFA spokeswoman stated that the organization would provide specialized weather monitoring throughout host cities, using WBGT readings and heat indices to inform decision-making during games.
FIFA also said that kickoff schedules were created with climate conditions in mind, with attempts made to avoid matches during the hottest times of the day and to emphasize milder fixtures in covered stadiums.
The governing body stated that it would continue to collaborate with medical professionals and local authorities to ensure a “safe and resilient” competition.
However, detractors contend that climate change is making summer athletic events more risky, creating larger concerns about the future of major championships held in extreme weather conditions.
