FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged that the 2026 World Cup will utilize stadiums with retractable roofs to combat extreme heat, following widespread concerns from players and officials.
Tackling the Heat Head-On
Complaints about scorching temperatures have been a major talking point, especially during events like the Club World Cup. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino recently addressed these worries, assuring that venues with roofs will be part of the solution for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking from FIFA’s new New York office, Infantino acknowledged the challenges. “Every criticism we receive is a source for us to study and analyse what can do better,” he stated. He pointed to the hot conditions at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris as an example, emphasizing the importance of cooling breaks.
The Roof Solution: A Closer Look
Infantino specifically mentioned using stadiums with roofs during daytime matches. However, this plan faces some hurdles. Currently, only four of the stadiums in the US that might host games have retractable roofs.
Even more challenging, many of these are NFL stadiums originally designed to retain heat for winter games, not dissipate it. When you add heavy watering of natural grass laid over artificial turf, the humidity inside these facilities could actually increase, potentially making conditions worse unless robust air conditioning, similar to what was used in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, is installed.
Players’ Health: A Growing Concern
From players to coaches and officials, there’s been a strong call to prioritize athlete safety over broadcast schedules. The intense heat, often due to phenomena like heat domes, has already impacted other sports.
For instance, in baseball, Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners’ Trent Thornton recently fell ill due to stifling heat. De La Cruz even vomited on the field during a game, highlighting the physical toll extreme temperatures can take.
FIFPRO Calls for Action
FIFPRO, the global representative body for professional footballers, has been a vocal advocate for player safety. They are urging FIFA to put commercial interests aside when it comes to extreme heat.
“We clearly believe that from a health and safety perspective, this is something that must take priority over commercial interests,” said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO’s director of policy and strategic relations. He emphasized that these heat conditions are predictable and need proactive solutions.
FIFPRO has made specific recommendations: lowering the temperature threshold for mandatory cooling breaks to 78.8F on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) gauge, and setting a limit of 82.4F beyond which games should be delayed or postponed. Climatologists also argue that current thresholds may compromise both player safety and game quality, as athletes might slow down to avoid illness rather than perform at their best.
- FIFA plans to use stadiums with retractable roofs for the 2026 World Cup to combat heat.
- Only a few potential US venues have retractable roofs, and many are designed to retain heat.
- Players and organizations like FIFPRO are demanding stronger heat safety protocols.
- FIFPRO suggests lowering cooling break thresholds and setting a postponement limit.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, balancing competitive play with player welfare in extreme conditions will remain a key challenge for FIFA.
