Cooling Breaks and Longer Halftimes: FIFPRO's Response to Extreme Heat Risks in Soccer
The players' union FIFPRO is investigating changes to game regulations, such as extending halftimes and increasing cooling breaks, to combat extreme heat conditions expected in nine host cities of the 2026 World Cup. These measures aim to protect player health, as many locations are projected to exceed safe heat thresholds.
The global players' union, FIFPRO, is considering the introduction of longer halftimes and more frequent cooling breaks to safeguard players against extreme heat. Concerns have risen as nine of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup are predicted to face potentially dangerous heat levels, posing significant health risks for athletes.
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Monterrey, and Philadelphia are expected to endure intense heat and humidity, raising calls for either more mandatory cooling strategies or changes to match schedules. FIFPRO's assessment of heat risks utilizes the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) metric, which examines the combined effects of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed on the body's ability to cool down.
Under FIFPRO's guidelines, a WBGT reading over 28 degrees Celsius signifies conditions that warrant rescheduling to protect players' health. As a point of comparison, FIFA sets its extreme risk threshold higher, at 32 degrees Celsius WBGT, but even under FIFA's standards, many host cities are expected to exceed safe limits. Efforts to implement improved heat protocols are deemed critical as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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