The recent Club World Cup has sparked renewed concerns about player welfare due to extreme heat conditions, prompting the global players’ union, Fifpro, to call for longer half-time breaks. With temperatures soaring above 40°C during matches, the union is advocating for an extension of the standard 15-minute break to 20 minutes in such conditions. The goal is to give players more time to lower their core body temperatures and recover sufficiently before resuming play.
Current FIFA protocols allow for cooling breaks of three minutes in each half when temperature thresholds are exceeded. These breaks typically involve the use of ice and cold towels to help players regulate body heat. However, medical experts affiliated with Fifpro argue that these measures may be insufficient, particularly when half-time remains limited to just 15 minutes. Research indicates that a 20-minute break could be significantly more effective in helping players maintain a safe core temperature. Trials to test this extended break duration are set to take place in Portugal in August.
The issue of heat stress has been a dominant theme throughout the Club World Cup, with players and coaches voicing complaints about the intense conditions. In response, FIFA has adjusted its approach mid-tournament by implementing additional mitigation strategies. These include increasing the availability of water and towels around the pitch and lowering the threshold for when cooling breaks are triggered. While these adaptations are welcomed, critics argue they should have been established before the tournament began.
The broader concern goes beyond just FIFA and extends to all organizers of tournaments held in hot climates. There is a growing call for competition organizers to adopt best practices from countries that regularly manage heat challenges in their leagues. For instance, the United States avoids scheduling Major League Soccer matches at midday in heat-prone areas like Florida, while Australia has protocols in place for delaying or postponing games based on temperature thresholds.
The rising frequency of extreme weather is also raising questions about the future scheduling of international tournaments. There is a growing recognition that global football, which now operates year-round, must adapt to new climate realities. This may include shifting tournaments to cooler months or redefining traditional off-season periods to better protect players’ health and ensure optimal performance on the pitch.
Additionally, the conversation is expanding to include concerns about fan safety and the overall quality of the game under extreme weather conditions. Long-term solutions could involve changes in tournament timing, venue selection, and even playing formats. As climate change continues to influence the sporting calendar, adapting to heat will become an unavoidable aspect of global football’s evolution.
