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Nearly one in five World Cup matches reached heat levels players’ union warns against
A Guardian analysis has found that nearly one in five matches at this year's World Cup were played in heat and humidity levels that the football players' union Fifpro has warned should trigger delays or postponements, highlighting mounting concerns about the safety of major sporting events as the climate crisis intensifies. Experts say the tournament has become a stress test for heat mitigation, raising questions about whether football can continue to be played safely in extreme conditions for both players and spectators.
The analysis of all 104 matches found around 20 games were played in conditions with a wet bulb globe temperature at or above 28C, the threshold beyond which Fifpro says fixtures should be delayed or postponed, while a further 23 matches took place in cities experiencing similar heat but in air-conditioned stadiums. The findings coincide with a record-breaking heatwave affecting the United States, with over 125 million Americans under heat alerts and wildfire smoke degrading air quality ahead of Sunday's final, which is expected to be played in slightly cooler, lower-humidity conditions. Fifa did not respond to a request for comment, though it has previously said it stationed meteorologists at venues to help manage extreme weather.
In short
- 19% of World Cup matches exceeded heat levels Fifpro warns against
- About 20 games saw wet bulb temperatures of 28C or above
- US heatwave and wildfire smoke add extra risk ahead of the final
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The strongest case for stricter enforcement rests on clear, expert-endorsed safety thresholds. Fifpro, representing players who bear the greatest physical demands, explicitly warned that conditions exceeding 28C WBGT warrant delays or postponements. When nearly one in five matches reached or exceeded this threshold, it indicates professional bodies' guidance was inadequately implemented. Establishing and rigorously enforcing safety standards is essential to protect player wellbeing and create precedent, particularly as climate impacts intensify.
The case against
The strongest case for the tournament's approach recognises inherent practical complexities. Fifa deployed meteorologists at venues and utilised air-conditioned stadiums for approximately 23 high-heat matches, implementing targeted mitigation beyond simple postponement. Postponing matches creates cascading consequences: schedule disruption, spectator and broadcaster disruption, and significant financial implications. The tournament's successful completion suggests these mitigation strategies proved effective, demonstrating that heat can be managed through strategic scheduling and preparation rather than cancellation.
Explained simply
Nearly one in five matches at this year's World Cup were played in dangerously hot and humid conditions. The football players' union Fifpro has warned that such extreme heat poses risks to player safety and should trigger matches to be delayed or postponed.
According to Fifpro's safety guidelines, matches should be postponed when heat and humidity combined reach 28 degrees Celsius. Analysis of this year's World Cup found that roughly 20 matches reached or exceeded this danger level, whilst further matches took place in cities experiencing similar extreme heat but were held in air-conditioned stadiums.
The findings matter because they raise concerns about whether major sports tournaments can continue to operate safely as global temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent and intense. This highlights questions for football's governing bodies about whether they are adequately protecting both players and spectators from extreme heat.
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