Once more in the headlines as Switzerland gets ready to face Norway in Basel this evening with temperatures expected to reach 30°C (86°F), worries about player safety in extreme heat FIFPRO, the international players’ union, has reignited warnings regarding the hazards athletes face in hot and humid conditions from перекрывающийся summer heat waves.
Electric storms and heat-related disturbances have resulted in several game delays at expanded FIFA Club World Cup events in the US, affecting matches. A Chelsea game was even suspended for two hours because of a storm.
To help lower players’ core body temperatures, FIFPRO is now urging FIFA to introduce more heat mitigation policies, including mandatory cooling pauses every 15 minutes instead of only once per half and lengthening halftime intervals from 15 to 20 minutes.
\ “We expected some very tough weather conditions,” said Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge, FIFPRO’s medical director. \ “The past few weeks have verified those concerns. Heat will adversely affect player performance and health.”
The problem is worsened by climate change. Although most attention has been on the searing heat of previous Middle Eastern events, Europe and North America are progressively experiencing similarly harsh summer temperatures. Players suffered in sweltering heat at the 1994 World Cup in the United States; this is now once again becoming an issue as the sport expands into more regions with warmer temperatures.
FIFPRO also voiced worries that FIFA ignored its requests to change kickoff times during the Club World Cup to prevent peak heat hours. In a statement, however, FIFA noted that 31 of the 54 matches played so far have already included cooling breaks and that it is open to more discussion via its Player Welfare Task Force.
FIFA stated, Heat conditions are a serious topic that affect football globally. Players’ protection has to be at the center.”
Plans for mitigation will be closely watched given that the majority of the 2026 World Cup is expected to take place in the US over summer months. Though changing the competition to a cooler season—as was done for Qatar 2022—is not under thought, organizers are expected to depend mainly on air-conditioned indoor stadiums.
Looking still ahead, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with certain cities already feeling 40°C (104°F) temperatures. Unless worldwide sports governing bodies implement more rigorous and consistent rules for player protection, the heat-related issues are expected to worsen.
