FIFA Warned Heat Could Disrupt Quarter of World Cup Games
Scientists alert FIFA that climate change has significantly increased extreme heat risks at World Cup tournaments since 1994, potentially affecting player safety.
A sobering new assessment from the global scientific community has put FIFA on alert regarding the escalating threat of extreme heat at future World Cup tournaments. Researchers have determined that climate change and rising global temperatures have substantially increased the risk of dangerously hot conditions that could impact approximately one-quarter of all matches played during international football's premier competition. This warning represents a critical intersection between environmental science and athletic performance, raising urgent questions about player safety and the viability of hosting football's greatest spectacle in traditionally warm climates.
The scientific analysis reveals a dramatic shift in heat-related risks when compared to historical data from the 1994 US World Cup, held in venues across America. Since that tournament three decades ago, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have increased substantially due to anthropogenic climate change. These findings underscore how rising atmospheric temperatures are fundamentally altering the conditions under which professional athletes compete at the highest levels. The research suggests that without significant intervention or adaptation measures, future tournaments could face unprecedented challenges in scheduling, venue selection, and player welfare management.
The implications of this warning extend far beyond simple discomfort for players and spectators. Extreme heat poses genuine medical and safety risks to athletes performing at professional levels, potentially leading to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other serious heat-related illnesses. Footballers competing at World Cup tournaments are already operating at peak physical exertion levels, which compounds the dangers posed by elevated environmental temperatures. Scientists emphasize that the combination of intense physical activity and extreme heat creates a dangerous situation that FIFA officials must address comprehensively through revised protocols and regulations.
Source: Al Jazeera
