A significant heatwave is anticipated to persist across the eastern and central United States through the end of the week, with peak heat indexes potentially reaching between 100 F to 115 F (37.78 C to 46.11 C). This weather pattern could pose risks for athletes and tens of thousands of fans attending the upcoming World Cup matches, particularly the afternoon knockout round game between France and Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday. High nighttime temperatures are expected to offer minimal relief, and temperature records could be broken.
Concerns regarding extreme heat during the games in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have been growing for several months. Some scientists have described FIFA’s heat safety guidelines as “inadequate” and “impossible to justify,” even for players who are accustomed to heat. For spectators, these conditions could lead to slower and less intense matches.
The world has warmed approximately 1.26 F (0.7 C) in the last three decades since the U.S. last hosted the World Cup. This global temperature increase intensifies heatwaves and makes other severe weather events more frequent. Scientists with the World Weather Attribution stated on Friday that the humid heat currently affecting the country, as well as parts of Canada, would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change.
The 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar was relocated from summer to winter due to the threat of extreme heat. Last year, the Club World Cup also experienced soaring temperatures. The global union for soccer players has warned that extreme heat is likely to be a greater issue at this and future World Cups.
Impact on Players and Spectators
Heat affects individuals both from their environment and as their bodies warm during physical exertion, making it harder to cool down in hot and humid conditions. Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles, explained that the likelihood of experiencing heat-related illness or death is much higher when exerting oneself on a particularly hot day. Symptoms of exertional heat illness include extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping, and dehydration. Exertional heat stroke, which requires immediate medical attention, is a leading cause of death in athletes.
When the wet bulb globe temperature, which accounts for temperature, humidity, cloud cover, and wind, exceeds approximately 95 F (35 C), people lose their ability to cool off quickly, according to Ryan Calsbeek, a professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College. He noted that under such conditions, “the physiological mechanisms just break down.” Heat-induced confusion could also impact a player’s decisions and potentially influence a match’s outcome.
Soccer players are not the only ones at risk. Many fans consume alcohol while watching the World Cup, which can be risky in hot weather. Cities and stadiums have increased access to shade, cooling areas, and water, and medical personnel are stationed at FIFA Fan Festivals and around stadiums. Calsbeek suggested that in extreme temperatures, spectators who are dehydrated and excited may also experience adverse effects.
FIFA’s Heat Safety Measures
FIFA’s current heat safety rules include mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half to protect players and referees from extreme heat illness. However, these breaks have drawn criticism; some argue they disrupt the game’s flow and allow coaches to shift momentum, while some scientists believe the breaks should be longer to allow for meaningful cooling and rehydration in extreme heat.
Matches scheduled outdoors during peak heat hours have been limited, and those expected during warmer periods are prioritized for covered stadiums. FIFA’s guidelines state that a match could be postponed if the wet bulb globe temperature reaches 89.60 F (32 C). However, Douglas Casa, CEO of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute, noted that this temperature is so extreme that it would trigger a “black flag” and cancel all training at military basic training facilities in America.
Temperatures are forecast to exceed 100 F (37.78 C) during Saturday’s game in Philadelphia. The players’ union FIFPRO, along with the American College of Sports Medicine, has advocated for matches to be delayed when temperatures reach 82.40 F (28 C) for safety reasons. Despite these concerns, there has been no indication that any games will be halted or rescheduled.
Players can train to cope with heat stress during exercise. Guilherme Passos, a sport scientist at the Brazilian Football Federation, monitors and prepares Brazil’s national team for extreme heat. He has assisted the team in acclimating to the U.S. heat, noting that direct exposure to the hottest part of the day can diminish training quality. The team uses saunas or hot baths for heat training during the competition. When Brazil hosted the World Cup in 2014, Passos observed that players covered less distance and reduced high-speed running, instead focusing on technical and tactical precision.
The France versus Paraguay match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET, which is expected to be near the hottest part of the day in Philadelphia. Conditions could reach 101 F (38.33 C) with 44% humidity, leading to a “feels-like factor” or heat index closer to 110 F (43.33 C). Delaying kickoff until the evening could mitigate the impact of direct sun radiation, even if temperatures remain warm. By 9 p.m. ET, temperatures could drop into the mid-90s F (30s C).
Moving the kickoff time would shift the match out of the primetime viewing window in Europe. The tournament will continue the following afternoon in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where temperatures for the Brazil versus Norway match are predicted to be in the mid-80s F (20s C).
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Source: apnews.com
