Scientists challenge Fifa heat protocols ahead of 2026 World Cup
A group of 20 international specialists in health and climate science have issued an open letter urging the football governing body to overhaul its heat mitigation strategies, citing a near-doubling of extreme weather risks since the 1994 tournament.
A coalition of 20 international experts in health, climate science, and sports performance has issued a stark warning to Fifa, arguing that its current heat safety protocols for the men’s 2026 World Cup are inadequate and fail to align with contemporary scientific evidence. The open letter, coordinated by Andrew Simms, director of the New Weather Institute, asserts that the governing body’s existing guidelines are “impossible to justify” and pose a significant risk to player safety across the host nations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The scientists are calling for an urgent overhaul of the tournament’s safety framework, specifically demanding longer cooling breaks of at least six minutes and clearer protocols for delaying or postponing matches when Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings exceed 28C. Professor Douglas Casa from the University of Connecticut, a signatory to the letter, emphasised that the current three-minute hydration break is insufficient, stating that breaks should be extended to a minimum of five minutes, preferably six, to effectively manage heat stress during play.
Concerns are heightened by new analysis from the World Weather Attribution (WWA), which indicates that the risk of extreme heat and humidity for the 2026 tournament has nearly doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup held on the same continent. Researchers project that approximately a quarter of matches will be played above 26C WBGT, with around five games potentially exceeding the 28C threshold, a level that the global players’ union Fifpro considers unsafe for elite competition. Temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums are expected to reach dangerous levels, with parts of the southern United States and northern Mexico experiencing average daytime highs that can rise towards 40C.
In response to the growing scrutiny, Fifa has reiterated its commitment to player welfare and outlined a tiered heat mitigation model for the upcoming tournament. The organisation stated it will utilise mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half, climate-controlled benches for technical staff and substitutes, and real-time monitoring using the gold-standard WBGT measure. Fifa also highlighted that scheduling has been adjusted to minimise exposure to peak heat, with warmer fixtures prioritised for covered stadiums and kick-off times modified based on location-specific risk assessments.
Despite these measures, Fifa declined to comment directly on the scientists’ claims or the specific criticisms regarding the duration of breaks. A spokesperson noted that dedicated meteorological support will be available centrally and across host cities to inform decision-making, with contingency measures activated as necessary. The governing body maintains that it is working with host authorities and medical experts to ensure a safe and resilient event, even as experts continue to urge a more robust approach to climate-related risks.
