Study says 25% of World Cup matches likely to be played above 26C
Researchers said the finding points to serious dangers for both players and supporters at the event, which will be staged across North America in the US, Canada and Mexico during June and July.
Rising temperatures are casting a shadow over the World Cup, with a new study by World Weather Attribution warning that 25% of tournament matches are likely to be played in conditions above 26C.
Researchers said the finding points to serious dangers for both players and supporters at the event, which will be staged across North America in the US, Canada and Mexico during June and July.
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The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measures the level of physical heat stress placed on the human body.
Experts broadly regard a WBGT of about 28C as the point where heat stress becomes a major issue for elite athletes.
In Dallas and Houston, although stadiums are air-conditioned, fans still face a one in three chance of encountering temperatures above 28C WBGT outside the venue for most matches.
A WBGT of around 28°C is widely considered a point at which heat stress becomes a serious concern for elite athletes.
With all 16 host cities set to host open-air fan festivals, the study suggests hundreds of thousands of supporters could be exposed to dangerous heat.
“Above 28C, the risk of serious heat illness becomes more concerning – not only for players, but also for the hundreds of thousands of fans in stadiums and outdoor fan festivals. Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, is life-threatening, and older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable”, said Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, Dr Chris Mullington.
Researchers found that roughly a quarter of all World Cup matches are likely to take place when conditions rise above 26C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.
The final venue – the New York New Jersey Stadium – has experienced an increase of around 50% in the risk of heat-related disruption since the 1994 World Cup, which was held in the US.
The Republic of Ireland faced Mexico in Orlando in 1994 in temperatures reported to have reached 40C
Dr Vincent Gouttebarge, FIFPRO Medical Director, said the estimates underline the case for putting in place a range of mitigation measures to better safeguard players’ health and performance when they are forced to compete in hot conditions.
The study also found that climate change has made such extreme conditions markedly more likely.
“Our research shows that climate change is having a real and measurable impact on the viability of holding World Cups during the northern hemisphere summer. The 1994 World Cup may not feel particularly distant to many adults today, yet half of human-induced climate change has happened since then.” said Dr Gouttebarge.
FIFA officials said weather conditions will be monitored throughout the tournament and that extreme heat plans will be put into effect if temperatures climb too high.
Half of human-induced climate change has occurred since World Cup 1994
