Scientists Raise Alarm Over Deadly Heat Threat at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Medical and climate experts have warned that soaring temperatures could place players and supporters in danger during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, intensifying pressure on FIFA to tighten safety protocols ahead of the tournament.
In a joint letter cited by BBC Sport, researchers, doctors and sports scientists urged football’s governing body to immediately adopt stronger heat-protection measures recommended by FIFPRO, the international players’ union.
The experts expressed concern that worsening climate conditions across the United States, Canada and Mexico — the three host nations — may expose athletes and spectators to severe health risks during the competition.
Andrew Simms, who coordinated the warning, said the situation demands urgent attention, stressing that heat-related emergencies can escalate rapidly during high-intensity sporting events.
According to a new assessment by the World Weather Attribution group, nearly a quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions exceeding 26°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, a globally recognised measure used to evaluate dangerous heat stress levels.
Researchers also projected that several fixtures may surpass 28°C WBGT, a threshold regarded by FIFPRO as unsafe for elite football competitions.
The findings suggest the likelihood of extreme heat during the 2026 tournament has almost doubled compared with the 1994 World Cup hosted in North America.
Beyond intense temperatures, scientists also warned that thunderstorms and wildfire smoke could disrupt matches and pose additional threats to public safety during the summer event.
The group is now calling on FIFA to revise its operational plans before the tournament kicks off next year.
Responding to the concerns, FIFA said it intends to introduce a “tiered heat mitigation model,” allowing organisers to adjust safety procedures based on live weather conditions in each host city.
The football body added that meteorological experts would monitor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings and heat indexes throughout the competition to guide decisions on matchday conditions.
FIFA also maintained that match schedules were arranged with climate considerations in mind, including efforts to avoid peak daytime heat and host some fixtures in covered stadiums where possible.
Despite those assurances, critics argue that climate change is making global sporting tournaments increasingly vulnerable to dangerous weather extremes, raising fresh concerns about the future of summer competitions worldwide.
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