RismadarVoice Reporters, May 14, 2026
Climate scientists and medical experts have warned that extreme heat conditions could pose serious health risks to players and fans during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting renewed calls for stronger safety measures ahead of the competition.
In an open letter reported by BBC Sport, researchers and sports health specialists urged FIFA to adopt stricter heat protection guidelines recommended by FIFPRO.
The experts expressed concern over rising temperatures expected across the tournament’s host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico warning that severe weather conditions could endanger athletes, officials, and spectators.
Andrew Simms, who coordinated the letter, said overheating during matches could quickly become life-threatening if preventive measures are not strengthened.
According to the report, new findings by the World Weather Attribution group suggest that nearly one-quarter of the tournament’s matches could be played under heat conditions exceeding 26 degrees Celsius Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, a scientific measurement used to assess heat stress on the human body.
Scientists further warned that several fixtures could exceed 28 degrees Celsius WBGT, a threshold regarded by FIFPRO as unsafe for professional football activities.
Experts noted that the risk of extreme heat during the 2026 tournament is significantly higher than during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which was also hosted in North America.
Beyond heatwaves, researchers cautioned that thunderstorms and wildfire smoke could disrupt matches and affect public safety during the summer competition.
In response to the concerns, FIFA said it plans to introduce a tiered heat mitigation strategy during the tournament, with safety protocols adjusted according to real-time weather conditions across host cities.
The football governing body stated that dedicated meteorological monitoring systems would be deployed to track heat indexes and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings throughout the competition.
FIFA also said match schedules were designed with climate considerations in mind, including efforts to avoid fixtures during peak daytime temperatures and to utilise covered stadiums for matches expected to experience warmer conditions.
The organisation added that it would continue collaborating with medical professionals and local authorities to ensure the tournament is conducted safely.
However, climate experts argue that rising global temperatures are increasingly threatening the viability of major sporting events held during summer months, raising broader concerns about the future scheduling and management of international competitions in an era of climate change.
