An examination of the initial round of World Cup matches indicates that two games were played under extreme heat conditions that a global players’ union has previously identified as warranting delays or cancellations.
Additionally, four other matches took place in cities where the temperature exceeded this critical threshold, though air conditioning alleviated some of the heat within the stadiums.
The match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Miami experienced the harshest heat, according to an analysis of the first 24 matches in the tournament being hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The encounter between Sweden and Tunisia in Monterrey followed closely as the second most affected by heat in stadiums lacking cooling systems.
These matches, despite being scheduled for the evening, occurred when wet-bulb temperatures reached 28°C (82°F) or higher, based on humidity and temperature data recorded during the games.
Fifpro, the international players’ union, has previously maintained that matches conducted at temperatures of 28°C or above should be postponed. In response to the findings, the union chose not to comment on the heat conditions present during the World Cup. This year’s tournament is anticipated to be the hottest since the event’s inception in 1930.
Understanding Heat Stress Measurements
Wet-bulb temperature is a crucial measure of heat stress that factors in air temperature, humidity, and cloud cover to gauge how effectively the human body can cool itself through perspiration. When heat and humidity levels exceed a certain point, sweat fails to evaporate properly, potentially leading to severe overheating that may cause illness or even death.
The analysis utilized weather data from governmental agencies in both the US and the UK, calculating wet-bulb temperatures using a formula adopted by authorities in various nations, including Australia and Canada.
As the North American summer heats up, FIFA has shifted some match times to later in the day and mandated water breaks. A few of the 16 World Cup venues have roofs or air conditioning that have eased the oppressive heat.
High Temperatures Affect Players and Fans
For instance, England’s match against Croatia in Dallas was played under nearly 35°C (95°F) wet-bulb temperatures, although the air conditioning in the stadium managed to reduce this to a more bearable 22°C (71°F).
In total, six out of the first 24 matches occurred in locations where the wet-bulb temperature exceeded 28°C, including Germany versus Curacao in Houston, Saudi Arabia versus Uruguay in Miami, Portugal against the DR Congo in Houston, the Netherlands facing Japan in Dallas, and England battling Croatia, also in Dallas. Notably, the Houston stadium is equipped with air conditioning.
Record-high temperatures in various areas have left some fans struggling in the relentless heat, raising concerns for stadium workers, who often work long hours in demanding conditions before the matches.
FIFA’s Response to Extreme Heat
According to current FIFA guidelines, cooling breaks are to be implemented if the temperature reaches 32°C (89°F) or higher. In practice, these breaks have been observed at lower temperatures during this World Cup, with the decision to delay or suspend matches resting with competition organizers.
Prior to the World Cup, a collective of heat and public health experts urged FIFA in an open letter to adopt more comprehensive measures to protect participants, referencing Fifpro’s recommendation for potential match cancellations at temperatures of 28°C 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,” noted Robbie Parks, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University and a signatory of the letter. “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 emphasized that while air conditioning, later kickoff times, and hydration breaks would benefit players, additional measures are necessary for the well-being of fans and workers. “Shade is super important and hydration is super important,” he added.
“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 poses the most significant risk exacerbated by climate change, resulting in more fatalities each year than hurricanes, floods, and wildfires combined. The World Cup tournament itself is set to contribute to global warming, with more than 100 matches expected to generate approximately 7.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases—double that of the previous tournament in Qatar, according to estimates by Greenly, a 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” during the World Cup. FIFA has deployed meteorologists to match venues to help prepare for severe weather conditions and emphasized “activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses and expanded water distribution” with local organizers, stadium authorities, and national agencies.
Before the tournament, FIFA introduced 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, activating additional interventions at varying thresholds. For players, in addition to mandatory hydration breaks, there is access to water and electrolyte drinks, as well as cooling tools such as ice, cold towels, fans, mist, and shade.
For spectators, elevated temperatures will prompt stadiums to “activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses, and expanded water distribution,” according to the spokesperson.
A medical protocol for treating heat-related exertion has also been established, with cooling bags set to be utilized for the first time.
FIFA has committed to “continuously monitor conditions in real time, integrating wet bulb globe temperature and heat index surveillance, and stands ready to implement established contingency protocols should extreme weather events arise.”
