FIFA and FIFPRO Discuss Heat Protocol after Concerns at 2026 World Cup

FIFPro is concerned about the 2026 World Cup participants who play in extreme hot weather conditions (FIFA doc).

FIFA and the world football union, FIFPro, continue to hold dialogues during the 2026 World Cup amid concerns about playing conditions during the tournament.

The players' union aims to hold special talks to secure the protocols that have been set for the heat for upcoming tournaments.

England's victory in the quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Sunday, July 12, 2026 WIB, started with the temperature inside the Hard Rock Stadium reaching 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) with a "feels like" temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius).

More significantly, the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) - a metric that measures the combination of climatic conditions including heat and humidity - was 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31.1 degrees Celsius) at kick-off, several degrees higher than the FIFPro recommended limit of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).

The FIFPro recommendations state that matches should be postponed or delayed if the WBGT exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), but currently, there is no accepted or agreed upon threshold between FIFA and FIFPro.

FIFA regulations require cooling and hydration breaks of three minutes during matches when the WBGT reaches 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) or higher.

For WBGT readings between 27 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, voluntary cooling breaks may be requested.

FIFPro and FIFA discussed the conditions of the game during and after last year's Club World Cup, with FIFA opting to schedule more 2026 World Cup matches in air-conditioned stadiums during the hottest part of the day.

Therefore, the two semifinals will start at 3 p.m. local time at the air-conditioned stadiums in Dallas and Atlanta.

However, discussions between the two organizations have been ongoing during this tournament in hopes of establishing firm rules and regulations.