The international players’ union FIFPRO has warned that the 2026 World Cup in North America could expose athletes to dangerous heat, calling for a rethink of scheduling and match operations in light of climate change.
In its latest workload report, the union described the expanded Club World Cup held in the U.S. this past summer , with midday games in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, as a “wake-up call” for organizers.
FIFPRO officials urged FIFA to reassess kick-off times and stadium choices, while introducing longer half-time breaks and more cooling pauses to safeguard both players and fans.
Beyond heat, the report highlighted mounting physical strain: not a single player in its sample received the minimum 28 days of rest between seasons, and many entered the new campaign without even four weeks of recovery.
Young talents such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who has already logged 8,000 minutes before turning 18, exemplify the risks of excessive workloads.
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