An analysis has revealed that two matches during the early stages of the World Cup were conducted under severe heat conditions, prompting calls from a players’ union for the postponement or delay of games. This finding underscores potential health risks faced by athletes during the tournament.
Additionally, four other matches took place in cities experiencing similarly high temperatures, although air conditioning helped mitigate the heat within the stadiums. The game between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Miami was identified as having the most extreme heat conditions among the first 24 matches, which included each team’s opening game in the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Despite evening kick-offs, these matches were held under wet-bulb temperatures exceeding 28C (82F), based on data regarding temperature and humidity at the time and location of the games. Fifpro, the international football players’ union, has previously stated that games at temperatures of 28C or higher should be postponed. However, when approached for comments about the analysis, the union refrained from discussing the heat conditions at the tournament, which is projected to be the hottest in its history since its inception in 1930.
Wet-bulb temperature is a critical measure of heat stress, as it incorporates air temperature, humidity, and cloud cover to assess how effectively the human body can cool itself through perspiration. When heat and humidity levels rise beyond a specific threshold, the body struggles to evaporate sweat, leading to rapid overheating that can cause illness or even fatal outcomes.
The analysis by the Guardian utilized weather data from governmental sources in both the U.S. and the U.K., calculating wet-bulb temperatures using a formula adopted by authorities in various countries, including Australia and Canada. In light of the intense North American summer, FIFA has adjusted some match start times to later in the day and instituted mandatory water breaks. A few of the tournament venues feature roofs or air conditioning, which have somewhat alleviated the extreme heat.
For instance, during a match on Wednesday, England faced Croatia in Dallas under the hottest wet-bulb temperatures recorded so far, nearing 35C (95F), although the air conditioning in the stadium lowered the perceived temperature to a more tolerable 22C (71F).
Out of the first 24 matches, six were held in locations where the wet-bulb temperature reached 28C or above. These included encounters like Germany against Curacao in Houston, Saudi Arabia versus Uruguay in Miami, Portugal against DR Congo in Houston, the Netherlands against Japan in Dallas, and England playing Croatia in Dallas, where the stadium also had air conditioning.
Unprecedented high temperatures have left some fans struggling in the unshaded heat, raising alarms about the working conditions for stadium staff who often labor for extended hours in demanding environments. Current FIFA guidelines suggest cooling breaks for matches played in temperatures of 32C (89F) or higher; in practice, these breaks have occurred at lower temperatures during this World Cup. The decision to delay or suspend games is left to the discretion of the tournament organizers.
On the eve of the World Cup, a collective of heat and public health experts sent an open letter to FIFA, urging the organization to establish more robust heat protection measures, echoing Fifpro’s recommendation for matches to be potentially cancelled if temperatures reach 28C or above.
“Temperatures are often taken from shaded areas and if players are in direct sun, it can be double figures more than the temperature readings,” explained Robbie Parks, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University and one of the letter’s signatories. “Standing in the sun can be dangerous even at lower temperatures, even above 23C (73F) or 25C (77F) would make me concerned for older adults out there for more than few minutes.”
Parks acknowledged that while air conditioning, later match start times, and water breaks would be beneficial for players, additional precautions are essential for fans and workers. “Shade is super important and hydration is super important,” he affirmed.
“You need to allow people to bring in their own water and think about having misters for evaporative cooling. The final is going to be held in New Jersey, and that stadium isn’t covered which makes me worry. But I’d hope Fifa will learn the best way to deal with that by then.”
Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, poses a significant threat, resulting in more fatalities annually than hurricanes, floods, and wildfires combined. The World Cup itself is anticipated to contribute to climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions, with estimates suggesting that staging over 100 matches could lead to 7.8 million tonnes of emissions, double that of the previous World Cup in Qatar, according to calculations by Greenly, a global carbon accounting platform.
A FIFA spokesperson stated that the organization is “committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff” throughout the tournament. Meteorologists have been stationed at match venues to help prepare for extreme weather conditions, and tournament planning includes “activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses and expanded water distribution” with local organizers as well as stadium authorities and national agencies.
Prior to the tournament, FIFA agreed on a “continue to monitor conditions in real time, integrating wet bulb globe temperature and heat index surveillance, and stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur” for extreme temperatures, with additional measures activated at various thresholds. For players, these measures include mandatory hydration breaks, access to water and electrolyte beverages, and various cooling tools such as ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shaded areas.
For spectators, the increase in temperatures will prompt match venues to “activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses and expanded water distribution,” according to the FIFA spokesperson.
A medical protocol for treating heat exertion has also been introduced, featuring the use of cooling bags for the first time. FIFA added that it will “continue to monitor conditions in real-time, integrating wet-bulb globe temperature and heat index surveillance, and stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur.”
