Why heat, travel and sleep could challenge teams as much as the opposition at the World Cup
Sandego.net – As the World Cup commences on June 11, excitement is mounting for what promises to be the largest edition of the tournament in history. A record 48 teams will compete across 104 matches in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Powerhouses like France, Spain, England, and Argentina are expected to be major contenders, with stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi leading their squads. However, the competition’s intensity extends far beyond the pitch, as athletes face logistical and environmental hurdles that could determine the outcome of the tournament.
While facing elite global teams is a clear challenge, players will also contend with physical and mental demands that arise from the tournament’s unique setup. Similar to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, many matches will occur in high-temperature environments, but the scale of travel and sleep disruption is unprecedented. Unlike Qatar, where all stadiums were geographically close, this year’s matches span 16 cities separated by up to 2,800 miles. Combined with the tournament’s spread across four time zones and 13 distinct kickoff times, this setup forces athletes to adjust to irregular sleep patterns, grueling travel schedules, and increased workload. For some, the lack of a full offseason since 2023 means their bodies will be tested in ways that could affect performance.
Extreme heat has emerged as a central concern for player welfare, with climate experts raising alarms about the potential risks. In September 2025, non-profits Football for Future and Common Goal released the “Pitches in Peril” climate report, identifying 10 of the 16 venues as facing a “very high risk” of heat stress. The situation escalated further when 20 international specialists in health, climate, and sports performance issued an open letter to FIFA, criticizing its current heat policy as insufficient. They warned that the policy could expose players to “heat-related injury,” citing how even WBGT levels just below FIFA’s threshold—89.4 degrees Fahrenheit (31.9 degrees Celsius)—might equate to dangerous conditions in low humidity and without direct sunlight.
“The climate experts noted that a WBGT of 89.4 degrees Fahrenheit (31.9 degrees Celsius)—just below FIFA’s threshold—can be equivalent to an air temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) without direct sunlight in low humidity.”
FIFA’s heat management strategy relies on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, which accounts for temperature, humidity, wind, and sunlight. According to its Emergency Care Manual, matches are postponed or canceled at the discretion of organizers when WBGT reaches 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). However, the experts argue that this threshold is too high, suggesting that WBGT levels above 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) already create a “high-risk environment for competitive football.” World Weather Attribution estimates that 25% of all World Cup matches—including the final at MetLife Stadium—could occur under conditions surpassing this recommended level.
In response, FIFA emphasized its commitment to player safety, stating that climate-related risks are integrated into tournament planning. “Climate considerations are central to scheduling decisions,” the organization explained. “The match schedule balances sporting, operational, and broadcast needs while minimizing travel, maximizing rest days, and accounting for local climate profiles and venue infrastructure, based on heat-risk analysis conducted at each location.” FIFA also highlighted its efforts to limit outdoor matches during peak heat hours, ensuring real-time monitoring of conditions and readiness to apply contingency protocols during extreme weather events.
