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FIFA has come under fire after calls to change the start times of matches at the 2026 World Cup due to the high risk of extreme temperatures expected to affect several host cities in North America.
According to FifPro, the global players' union representing over 70,000 professional players, matches scheduled to take place at noon and afternoon in cities such as Miami, Monterrey and Kansas City should be postponed to later times to protect the health of the athletes.
Other cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and Guadalajara have been classified as "very high risk" areas, while Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey are considered "high risk" areas due to weather conditions.
FifPro policy director Alexander Bielefeld said the Club World Cup situation should serve as a “wake-up call” for FIFA. He stressed that the experiences from the tournament have highlighted the risks posed by playing in extreme temperatures, highlighting the need for safer match scheduling.
Meanwhile, FifPro's medical director, Dr. Vincent Goutebarge, warned of serious health risks from playing in extreme heat:
" From our research, several World Cup host cities could be considered high-risk areas for heat-related illnesses – and in some cases, extremely high-risk ."
He particularly highlighted cities like Orlando and Miami, where due to the subtropical climate, midday matches can pose a real threat to the physical safety of players.
British expert in the physiology of extreme temperatures, Professor Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth, has proposed that the 2026 World Cup final be played at 9am as a measure to avoid the risk of extreme heat.
Pending an official response from FIFA, pressure to review match schedules in cities with hot climates is growing, as the international football community calls for proactive measures that put players' health ahead of commercial interests.
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