FIFA needs to act now to protect players’ health at the World Cup.
A group of well-known experts, including doctors and researchers from all over the world, have written an open letter to FIFA asking them to rethink how they handle very hot temperatures during the World Cup. With the event just 28 days away, the organizers are already making plans to welcome all 48 teams.
There have been some worries about Iran’s participation because of ongoing tensions with the US, but it looks like Iran will still play. Also, the US State Department has said it will waive the usual expensive visa fees for people who bought World Cup tickets.
Still, some scientists are concerned about the heat and have told FIFA that the current rules aren’t good enough to keep players safe. Temperatures in the southern US and northern Mexico are expected to reach between 30 and 40°C, which is very hot.
FIFA says it has checked the risks and is committed to protecting everyone involved – players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff. But in their letter, health and climate experts worry about the players’ well-being. They think FIFA’s current rules don’t match what science says and could put players at risk of heat injuries.
FIFA’s medical plan from summer 2025 says it will try to spot and handle health issues that might affect football, like pandemics, climate change, pollution, and new kinds of injuries or illnesses.
The experts say FIFA hasn’t done enough to use recent research on how climate change and extreme heat affect players worldwide. They also say the official guidelines from 2015 haven’t been updated enough.
They suggest FIFA should have longer cooling breaks, clearer rules, and even postpone games if the weather gets too dangerous.
According to the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a global way to measure heat in sports, 28°C is when heat becomes a real concern for top athletes. FIFA’s emergency manual says if WBGT hits around 32°C, special steps should be taken to avoid heat-related illnesses.
The 20 experts who signed the letter want FIFA to delay or postpone games if the heat is above 28°C, add longer cooling breaks of about six minutes, improve cooling facilities for players, and regularly update the rules based on the latest science.
They explain that right now, FIFA requires cooling breaks at 32°C WBGT, but only at two points in the match, and whether to pause or cancel a game is up to the organizers. The experts say this is not enough because 32°C WBGT is extremely hot — like 45°C with low humidity. They believe that heat risks start at 26°C WBGT and above, which means current guidelines could put players in danger.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11 with Mexico and South Africa playing the first match.