Twenty leading scientists have warned FIFA its heat safety rules for the 2026 World Cup are “inadequate” and risk serious harm to players.
The experts say mandatory three‑minute cooling breaks fall short, urging six‑minute pauses, stronger cooling facilities, and postponements when Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeds 28°C.
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With matches in the US, Canada, and Mexico set to face highs of 30–40°C, researchers warn heat stress could be extreme. FIFA insists it will monitor conditions in real time, adjust kick‑off times, and apply contingency measures, but critics argue the body is “reckless with player health.”
New analysis shows the risk of unsafe heat has nearly doubled since the 1994 World Cup due to climate change.
