As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a chorus of scientists, climate experts and player safety advocates has raised fresh alarms over extreme heat threatening the safety of players, fans and match quality during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
“Outdated safety standards,” say climate experts
In an open letter signed by around 20 world-leading scientists, experts told FIFA that current heat safety measures are “inadequate” and not aligned with the latest climate and health science. The group, including researchers specialising in climate impacts on human physiology, argues that existing protocols could endanger players if temperatures soar beyond recommended safety limits during key matches.
Dr Chris Mullington of Imperial College London explains that the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) — an index that combines heat, humidity, sun exposure and wind — presents a more accurate measure of heat stress than air temperature alone. Under these measures, a WBGT of 26°C or more triggers safety interventions such as cooling or hydration breaks, while WBGT of 28°C or higher suggests conditions that might justify postponements.
Heat could dominate large swaths of the tournament
Analyses show that:
About one-quarter of the 104 scheduled matches may be played in conditions with a WBGT above 26°C, where heat stress becomes significant even for elite athletes.
Five matches might exceed the WBGT 28°C level, considered unsafe enough to consider postponement.
In six matches scheduled in Miami, conditions are considered almost certain to exceed the 26°C WBGT level, with some dates showing measurable chances of hitting the 28°C threshold.
The World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey itself faces a roughly 1-in-8 chance of exceeding 26°C WBGT, and a 3% chance of reaching potentially dangerous heat stress levels, an increase over previous similar events.
Players, fans and match quality all at risk
Signatories to the open letter argue that extreme heat isn’t just a potential hazard for elite athletes — fans, volunteers, broadcast crews and stadium workers also face longer periods in direct sun and high humidity. They point out that individuals with pre-existing health conditions, children and older spectators are particularly vulnerable.
While players at the highest levels may adapt by pacing themselves, scientists warn that heat stress can blunt performance, disrupt tactics and slow the tempo of games — turning what should be “beautiful football” into an endurance test.
Vincent Gouttebarge, Medical Director of FIFPRO (the global players’ union), supports stronger heat controls, backing cooling breaks and hydration protocols to protect health while maintaining competition integrity.
FIFA’s response and mitigation plans
FIFA has signalled that organisers are preparing a suite of heat-management strategies, including:
Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half
Enhanced cooling zones and shade infrastructure
Tailored medical protocols based on real-time heat data
However, critics feel these steps may not be enough if extreme temperatures persist or worsen due to climate change — and that scheduling World Cups during northern summer months may need rethinking for the long term.
What this means for 2026
With 16 host cities and matches played from June to July, the 2026 tournament could be one of the hottest in World Cup history. Climate shifts since the last U.S. edition in 1994 have already made dangerous heat conditions significantly more likely, experts say, turning what should be a global celebration into an event where health, endurance and climate realities collide.
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