Climate scientists and medical experts have issued a strong warning to FIFA, cautioning that players and fans could face dangerous heat conditions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging urgent improvements to safety protocols before kickoff.
According to BBC Sport, the warning was contained in an open letter signed by climate researchers, sports scientists, and medical professionals, calling on FIFA to adopt stricter heat safety standards recommended by FIFPRO, the global players’ union.
The experts raised concerns that rising temperatures across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the three host nations — could expose athletes and spectators to serious health risks during matches.
Andrew Simms, who coordinated the letter, said player safety must be treated as urgent, stressing that overheating can become dangerous very quickly and should not be underestimated.
He further warned that FIFA was risking player welfare by not fully addressing the growing threat of extreme heat during tournament conditions.
New analysis from the World Weather Attribution group suggests that about 25% of matches could take place in conditions above 26°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a key heat stress measurement used in sports science.
Researchers also estimate that around five matches could exceed 28°C WBGT, a level FIFPRO considers unsafe for professional football due to the risk of heat-related illness.
Experts noted that the likelihood of extreme heat affecting matches has nearly doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup, which was also hosted in North America.
Beyond heat, scientists also warned that wildfires, thunderstorms, and smoke pollution could further disrupt games scheduled during the summer tournament.
They are urging FIFA to urgently revise its safety guidelines ahead of the competition to reduce potential health risks for players and fans.
In response, FIFA said it will implement a tiered heat mitigation system, adjusting safety protocols depending on real-time weather conditions across venues.
A FIFA spokesperson added that dedicated meteorological monitoring will be deployed across host cities, with WBGT and heat index readings used to guide match safety decisions.
FIFA also stated that match schedules have been designed to avoid peak heat hours, with warmer fixtures allocated to covered or climate-controlled stadiums where possible.
The governing body said it will continue working with medical experts and local authorities to ensure what it described as a “safe and resilient” tournament.
However, critics argue that rising global temperatures are making summer sporting events increasingly risky, raising broader concerns about the future of global tournaments under extreme climate conditions.
