Heat and Workload Risks Threaten Player Safety for 2026 World Cup
As the countdown begins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an urgent warning has emerged from the global players’ union FIFPRO, highlighting extreme heat risks and critical player workload concerns that could jeopardize athlete health during the tournament. Spread across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the event faces challenges not only from soaring temperatures but also from the increasing intensity of players’ year-round commitments.
Extreme Heat Threatens Player Safety.
FIFPRO’s comprehensive 51-page report draws attention to six host cities—Kansas City, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey—classified as “extremely high risk” for heat-related illnesses during the June-July tournament period. Temperatures in these venues are expected to surpass safe playing limits, with some matches potentially experiencing conditions well above 40°C.
The recent 2025 Club World Cup held in the U.S. served as a stark wake-up call, with four matches played above FIFPRO's recommended safe threshold of 28°C. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández described the intense heat as “very dangerous,” recalling moments of dizziness that forced him to lie down during a semifinal match. FIFPRO's director of policy, Alexander Bielefeld, warned that playing schedules designed for European TV audiences often expose players to brutal afternoon heats, a situation only likely to worsen with climate change.
FIFA’s Limited Response to Heat Concerns
Despite these significant warnings, FIFPRO reports limited formal engagement from FIFA regarding mitigating scheduling or venue adjustments. Although FIFA President Gianni Infantino has mentioned air-conditioned stadiums as a priority for daytime games, concrete plans remain scarce. Only a few 2026 host stadiums, notably those in Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston, have climate-controlled environments, leaving a large portion of matches vulnerable to extreme weather.
Intensifying Player Workload Crisis
Beyond weather threats, FIFPRO’s report spotlights a pressing crisis in player workload management. None of the players from leading Club World Cup teams—including PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea—enjoyed the recommended minimum off-season rest of 28 days. Chelsea and Real Madrid players had rest periods as short as 20 days, raising concerns about recovery and burnout.
Young talents like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal exemplify the risks, already logging over 8,000 minutes for club and country by age 18. This workload eclipses the early careers of icons like Andrés Iniesta and Kylian Mbappé, raising red flags about long-term health and development. Experts highlight that players typically mature fully only by ages 24-25, making early heavy exposure dangerous.
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood emphasized the importance of adequate recovery, stating that short rest periods may be manageable short-term but become unsustainable over multiple seasons, risking career-threatening impacts.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup promises a historic and globally unifying event but also presents significant challenges. With rising global temperatures and relentless demands on players’ schedules, urgent and concrete actions from FIFA alongside comprehensive player welfare strategies are essential. Addressing these heat and workload concerns is vital to safeguarding the health and performance of football’s greatest talents on the world’s biggest stage.
This report serves as a call to action for football’s governing bodies, clubs, and broadcasters alike to prioritize player safety amid evolving environmental and professional pressures.