January 31 – Player welfare is perhaps the biggest issue facing the elite of world football. With the 2026 World Cup scheduled during the height of the American summer, researchers are looking at the potential dangers players might face with extreme heat.
A study led by Queen’s University Belfast has identified that temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums being used could exceed potentially dangerous levels during the tournament.
FIFA has yet to release kick-off times, however, with the major European and Asian markets in problematic time zones for peak viewership, the world governing body may look towards eyeballs with early kick-off times, rather than player safety.
The last World Cup final played in the United States, kick-off was at 12.30pm local time in Los Angeles, with temperatures reaching 100°F (38°C).
The research team collated 20 years of meteorological data to show how hot the host stadiums get during an average summer. By utilizing a ‘wet bulb globe temperature’ (WBGT) they identified that only Mexico City and Vancouver as the only host cities where the temperature has not passed the potentially dangerous WBGT threshold of 28C.
“Early morning or late evening would be best at most locations,” climate scientist Dr Donal Mullan, who led the research, told BBC Sport.
“But if I were to deliver a message to FIFA, I would say to avoid the afternoons, from midday to 6pm. That would massively reduce the risk of extreme heat.”
The last World Cup played in Qatar was moved for the very reason of extreme heat to the western winter calendar, a first for the World Cup.
The report says the 2026 tournament risks seeing games played at “the level beyond which some football governing bodies recommend match delay or postponement”.
Dr Mullan says Miami and Monterrey in particular “could pose the greatest risk” as they do not have air-conditioned stadiums. The report also suggests afternoon games be avoided in Kansas City, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Although the hottest two host cities – Dallas and Houston – do have air conditioning, there is still a risk to spectators if games are played in the afternoon, Dr Mullan said.
“They will go back out into the soaring heat so there’s a risk for spectators as well as the players and match officials,” he added.
Whether FIFA will pay attention to the report will more than likely depend on the physical condition of the players after the World Club Cup to be played this summer.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1738305574labto1738305574ofdlr1738305574owedi1738305574sni@o1738305574fni1738305574