The average global temperature has increased significantly since 1980, with 2024 the first year in more than 1.5 ° C above the pre -industrial average.
The previous World Cup, held in Qatar in 2022, moved from June and July, when temperatures regularly exceed 40 ° C and can reach 50 ° C in Doha, until November and December to protect players and fans.
The report says that the 2026 tournament runs the risk of seeing games played in “the level beyond which some soccer government bodies recommend delay or postponement.”
Australian football heat policy, for example, states that a party can be delayed or postponed when the WBGT reaches 28 ° C.
However, FIFA guidelines say that mandatory cooling breaks are provided in each half as a mitigation strategy, with a delay or postponement at the discretion of party organizers.
FIFPRO World Players Union, external He believes that FIFA guidelines “do not do enough to protect the health and performance of players.”
Recommend cooling breaks when the WBGT is between 28c and 32c, and for games to be reprogrammed above 32c.
The result of playing in such conditions varies, from small problems of impact on performance, such as sleep interruption and late changes in events, to serious health impacts, such as stress and injuries related to heat.
Not only can players be affected. During the Copa América last year, the Guatemalan assistant referee Humberto Panjoj had to be withdrawn, external Of a game in Kansas City after collapsing in the field when the WBGT was calculated at 27.5 ° C.
Dr. Mullan says that Miami and Monterrey “could represent the greatest risk,” since they do not have stages with air conditioning.
The report suggests that the afternoon games should be avoided in Kansas City, Boston, New York and Philadelphia as well.
Although the two most popular host cities, Dallas and Houston, have air conditioning, there is still a risk for spectators if the games are played in the afternoon, said Dr. Mullan.
“They will return to the very high heat, so there is a risk for spectators, as well as for players and game officials,” he added.
The research results have been published in the International Journal of Biometeorology., external