The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, kicks off on June 11 during what is expected to be one of the hottest years on record. Experts and players are warning that FIFA is not doing enough to protect athletes from extreme heat.
New research analyzed 57 matches from the 2025 Club World Cup, which used several venues and the same June-July schedule as the upcoming World Cup. The study found that 31 of those matches were played at a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 28°C or higher-a level the American College of Sports Medicine says warrants cancellation.
FIFA’s own guidelines define a WBGT of 32°C or higher as extreme risk, but the research shows players were routinely exposed to dangerous conditions. Higher WBGT and ambient temperatures led to reduced high-speed, moderate-speed, and low-speed running. Players slowed down to avoid heat injury, shifting to possession-oriented play.
Matches played in the evening saw lower heat stress and greater distances covered. The authors recommend avoiding afternoon scheduling, using air-conditioned stadiums, and improving hydration breaks. They also urge coaches to adapt game plans to the heat.
Spectators are also at risk, with record heat waves affecting over 100 million people in the central and eastern US during the 2025 Club World Cup.
With lucrative broadcast windows conflicting with player safety, the question remains: will FIFA take meaningful action?