Footballers’ union FIFPro has raised concerns about the extreme heat during the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
The group says the hot weather has made it difficult for players to perform safely and is urging FIFA to take stronger action ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
FIFPro said matches played in high temperatures have put players at risk of heat-related injuries. In a recent report, the union warned that six of the stadiums chosen for the 2026 World Cup, including Miami, could be dangerous due to extreme heat.
“This tournament should serve as a wake-up call for FIFA,” said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPro’s Director of Policy. “We need to look again at when and where games are played.”
Some Club World Cup games have kicked off at noon or 3:00 pm, the hottest parts of the day. Atlético Madrid player Marcos Llorente complained about the tough conditions after his team’s 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, saying, “It was terrible heat.”
FIFPro has asked FIFA to avoid scheduling matches during peak heat hours. They also suggested making changes to game rules during hot weather — like increasing the half-time break from 15 to 20 minutes and adding more cooling breaks during each half.
The union’s medical director, Vincent Gouttebarge, said one drink break per half isn’t enough. He suggested giving players a short break every 15 minutes when it’s too hot.
While FIFPro said FIFA has responded by providing cold towels and more water, the group wants FIFA to do more, especially as the 2026 tournament gets closer.
FIFPro also mentioned that weather rules in some U.S. states require games to stop if there’s a risk of thunderstorms, which has caused delays. However, the main concern remains the heat.
“We’ll continue to push for better player protection,” said Alex Phillips, FIFPro’s General Secretary. “But we can only advise — the final decisions are up to FIFA.”
