Footballers at ‘very high risk of extreme heat stress’ during World Cup 2026
Scientists warn Fifa’s ‘wet bulb’ temperature policy underestimates strain players undergo during matches

Ajit Niranjan Europe environment correspondent
Thu 28 Nov 2024 11.00 EST

Footballers face a “very high risk of experiencing extreme heat stress” at 10 of the 16 stadiums that will host the next World Cup, researchers have warned, as they urge sports authorities to rethink the timing of sports events.

Hot weather and heavy exercise could force footballers to endure temperatures that feel higher than 49.5C (121.1F) in three North American countries in 2026, ­according to the study. It found they are most at risk of “unacceptable ­thermal stress” in the stadiums in Arlington and Houston, in the US, and in Monterrey, in Mexico.

The co-author Marek Konefal, from Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences in Poland, said World Cups would increasingly be played in conditions of strong heat stress as the climate got hotter. “It is worth rethinking the calendar of sporting events now.”

Football’s governing body, Fifa, recommends matches include cooling breaks if the “wet bulb” temperature exceeds 32C. But ­scientists are concerned the metric ­underestimates the stress athletes experience on the pitch because it considers only external heat and humidity.

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