FIFPro: The Summer Temperature Of The United States Is A Concern For The 2026 World Cup

JAakRTA - The World Footballer Union, FIFPro, has voiced concerns over the devastating heat impact during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

They said that two games -- Paris Saint-Germain vs Atletico Madrid and Chelsea vs Esperance -- should have been postponed as temperatures exceeded the recommended maximum threshold.

According to FIFPro, soaring temperatures have led players to contact their national player unions during the tournament.

Several matches during the 2025 Club World Cup have been disrupted and delayed by thunderstorms, including a two-hour halt in Chelsea's 4-1 win against Benfica in the last 16 in Charlotte, Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The players and coaches, including Atletico Madrid striker Marcos Llorente and Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca, have spoken about the condition.

Based on this, FIFPro medical experts have also asked FIFA to cancel kick-offs in several cities that are vulnerable to high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico later.

FIFPRO Medical Director, dr. Vincent Gouttebarge, said PSG's victory against Atletico Madrid in Pasadena and Chelsea's victory against Esperance in Philadelphia should have been canceled as temperatures exceeded the FIFPro Wet Bulb Globe (WBGT) by 28 degrees Celsius - a scientific formula calculated from various meteorological parameters.

While the WBGT limit for FIFA guidelines is 32 degrees Celsius.

"In our position, it is clear that we have a threshold where the match should be postponed and rescheduled. The answer is pretty clear, of course. The threshold? WBGT is 28 degrees Celsius."

"According to our position, this match (PSG vs Atletico/Chelsea vs Esperance) should be postponed to a better place during the day. If it is not available (other slots), then it is rescheduled," said Gouttebarge.

FIFPro has used meteorological data to assess potential problems during the 2026 World Cup and highlighted the risk of playing games in the middle of the day in cities like Miami and Orlando.

You see, Miami will host the 2026 World Cup games, but Orlando won't.

With ongoing discussions with FIFA, Alexander Bielefeld - FIFPro's Director of Policy and Strategic Relations - and FIFPro Secretary General, Alex Phillips, have urged FIFA to schedule matches in those cities for kick-off nights.

"We clearly know from the chart shown by Vincent (Gouttebarge) previously that there are certain areas in a country that will be more risky."

"So, think about game goals like Orlando or Miami for example, where you can see over the years that there are higher risks attached to this place and destination."

"The question is whether we really need a mid-day kick-off at this location or in this high-risk area."

"Do we probably have to move on to a slower kick-off time as a preference for this place."

"There are questions at a certain point what the industry sees as a threshold and as a precautionary threshold for players, as well as for spectators, to potentially delay kick-off time," Bielefeld said.

Phillips said FIFPro would appeal to FIFA to ensure that their concerns were heard and followed up.

"We will, yes, beg if you like. We will use reasonable arguments. We can use the MLS protocol (Major League Soccer - they didn't play the game in the middle of the day in Florida, for example, and haven't done it for a few years."

"So, that kind of argument is strong and we will try and use it as best we can," Phillips said.

As is known, the MLS WBGT limit is 29 degrees Celsius so the highest league in the United States doesn't play games in the middle of the day for several years in Florida as data compiled by FIFPro.

Meanwhile, Phillips confirmed that several players at the 2025 Club World Cup had raised their concerns over a number of issues to national unions.

"We have players who have contacted the nasal trade union on these issues. However, the union must disclose it," he said.