Study warns of extreme heat risk for players at 2026 World Cup

SYDNEY: Footballers astatine the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, acceptable to beryllium held crossed the United States, Canada, and Mexico, whitethorn look terrible wellness risks from utmost heat, according to a caller survey published connected Thursday successful Scientific Reports.

With venues dispersed crossed the North American continent, the survey warns that important differences successful latitude, altitude, and clime volition situation players’ quality to “quickly accommodate to the assorted section climates”, the German quality bureau dpa reported.

The tourney volition instrumentality spot from June 11 to July 19, 2026, during highest summertime temperatures successful North America.

The research, led by Marek Konefał and colleagues, reveals that 10 of the 16 World Cup stadiums volition apt exposure players to hazardous heat, with the highest risks recovered successful the Texas cities of Arlington, adjacent Dallas, and Houston arsenic good arsenic successful Monterrey, Mexico.

Using information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the survey simulated the clime astatine each venue utilizing the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which measures however the quality assemblage reacts to outdoor conditions.

The results suggest that immoderate locations could acquisition UTCI values exceeding 49.5 degrees Celsius, a level that poses a important hazard of vigor stress.

The survey warns that the astir aggravated thermal accent is expected betwixt 2 p.m. and 5 pm, with UTCI values successful Arlington and Houston surpassing 50 degrees Celsius successful the afternoon. In Miami, highest vigor accent is expected astir midday. Such utmost conditions could pb to dehydration and heat-related wellness problems for players.

The researchers urge adjusting lucifer schedules to support players’ wellbeing during the tournament. The survey assumed stadiums volition not beryllium air-conditioned, nevertheless galore US stadiums successful traditionally blistery places similar Dallas and Atlanta, bash person aerial conditioning.