Heat Stress in Modern Football
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring together Canada, Mexico and the United States in a historic joint hosting effort, but the prospect of scorching summer temperatures looms large over the tournament.
A recent analysis of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup reveals that more than half of the matches were played under heat conditions that exceeded the safety threshold defined by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, raising alarms for the upcoming global event.
Researchers found that when the WBGT climbed above 28°C, players covered shorter distances and slowed their running speeds, while matches held at 30°C or higher often saw a noticeable drop in high‑intensity activity.
The data showed that 54% of the 57 analyzed games were played at a WBGT of 28°C or higher, with 13 matches reaching 30°C or above and two hitting the extreme 32°C mark, conditions that experts argue should have prompted cancellations.
FIFA’s current heat‑management protocol includes mandatory three‑minute hydration breaks, but scholars suggest that providing chilled beverages and cold towels could significantly improve player safety.
Coaches are advised to adapt tactics for hot environments, favoring possession‑based play and making early substitutions to keep athletes from over‑exerting in the heat.
Stakeholders from FIFA to the American College of Sports Medicine have been urged to consider air‑conditioned stadiums and to schedule matches in the cooler evening hours to mitigate heat stress.
Recommendations for a Safer Tournament
Experts propose a suite of measures: avoid afternoon fixtures when solar radiation peaks, prioritize venues equipped with closed roofs and cooling systems, and implement stricter WBGT monitoring throughout the competition.
Older players, in particular, were found to reduce their overall work rate under high temperatures, underscoring the need for individualized conditioning programs.
Players such as Jeremy Ebobisse, Sebastián Cáceres and Park Yong‑woo have highlighted how heat can force teams into a more conservative, possession‑oriented style, limiting the explosive bursts that define modern football.
In addition, teams should be encouraged to adopt hydration strategies that go beyond water, such as electrolyte drinks and cooling sleeves, while medical staff must be prepared to intervene at the first sign of heat‑related illness.