Scientists Urge FIFA to Address Heat Risks for 2026 World Cup

A group of twenty specialists in health, climate, and sports performance has issued a public letter to FIFA, warning about the risks posed by extreme heat during the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. They argue that current heat management protocols are insufficient and do not reflect recent scientific findings.

The scientists highlight that average daytime temperatures in the summer can reach mid to low 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes approaching 40 degrees Celsius, raising concerns about player safety. FIFA has already mandated a compulsory three-minute cooling break during matches, but experts like Andrew Simm from the New Weather Institute and Douglas Casa from the University of Connecticut criticize this duration as inadequate.

They recommend extending the cooling break to six minutes and implementing additional measures, including the potential postponement of matches if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 28 degrees Celsius. The letter emphasizes the seriousness of heat stress on athletes and calls for real-time monitoring of conditions throughout the tournament.