After Club World Cup heatwave in US, soccer players' union warns of higher risk at next World Cups
Still, FIFA did not take FIFPRO's pre-tournament advice to look at postponing kickoff times by several hours on the hottest days — a move that would be even more complicated at a World Cup with more commercial pressures in play and more games scheduled each day.
Six of the 16 World Cup host cities next year in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are judged by FIFPRO as 'extremely high risk' for heat stress injury to players among the 48 teams. The highest risk cities are Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas, Miami and Monterrey though some have indoor, air-conditioned stadiums.
'We are anticipating that this problem is going to be even more crucial for the coming years,' FIFPRO medical director Vincent Gouttebarge told reporters in a briefing call.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted in June and July by Spain, Portugal and Morocco where fewer stadiums are enclosed and cooled, and temperatures in some cities on Monday were at or above 100 degrees F (38 C).
By 2030 the hot weather prospects for the tournament there 'is even perhaps worse than what we have been facing so far,' Gouttebarge cautioned.
FIFPRO said extra heat mitigation measures could include 20-minute halftime breaks instead of 15 to help lower players' core temperatures, and cooling breaks in play every 15 minutes. Currently, breaks are taken in the 30th minute of each half.
FIFA was approached for comment.
FIFA has reacted during the Club World Cup to lower the threshold for insisting on cooling or water breaks, plus placing more water and towels around the edge of the field.
'We are partially happy because FIFA have been quite responsive once the tournament was underway,' FIFPRO CEO-like general secretary Alex Phillips said.
Better shading benches for the substitutes and more hydration breaks are also preferred by the union, which has national affiliates representing players in about 70 countries.
'All these practical things is something that we must do better,' said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO strategy director, though adding 'at some point that probably won't be enough.'
The union gave its research to FIFA ahead of the Club World Cup opening on June 14, based on weather trends in the host cities since 2014. Seven of the 11 were judged high risk with Philadelphia and Washington, DC, at the top end.
'The past few weeks was also a confirmation of our worry,' Gouttebarge said, 'that the heat condition would play a negative role for the performance and health of the players.'
Six Club World Cup games also were stopped because of forecast electric storms nearby. The delay was nearly two hours in Charlotte during Chelsea's win in the round of 16 against Benfica.
Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
39 minutes ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Reports: Messi Considers Leaving Inter Miami
Rana Atef Press reports have revealed a major surprise regarding the future of Argentine star Lionel Messi with his current club, Inter Miami, especially as his contract is set to expire in December, after he joined the team in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer following the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. According to ESPN Argentina, Messi is considering a new experience, possibly on loan for next season, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, with the aim of maintaining his fitness and securing a second World Cup title with the Argentine national team. The report indicated that Messi is exploring the option of temporarily playing in a more competitive league ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The report also noted that contract renewal talks between Messi and Inter Miami's management are currently on hold, in anticipation of a possible departure in the near future. Despite Messi's emotional and historic ties with Barcelona, a return to the club appears unlikely due to its ongoing financial struggles and tensions with club president Joan Laporta. A return to his former club Paris Saint-Germain also seems distant, given the French team's current focus on building a young and energetic squad. Meanwhile, Manchester City has shown interest in signing Messi, but the likelihood of that happening remains uncertain, despite the close relationship between the player and City manager Pep Guardiola. Inter Miami was recently eliminated from the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Arsenal sign goalkeeper Kepa from Chelsea - World
Arsenal bolstered their goalkeeping options on Tuesday with the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a reported £5 million ($7 million) fee. The 30-year-old Spaniard remains the most expensive goalkeeper in history after his £71 million move to Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. However, Kepa failed to deliver on that price tag as he fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge before spending the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth. He is expected to act as back-up to established Arsenal number one David Raya. The Gunners reportedly exercised a £5 million buyout clause in a Chelsea contract Kepa signed last year. Welcome to The Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga ❤️ — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 1, 2025 Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for the past three seasons but have not won a major trophy since 2020. "I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it," Kepa said in an Arsenal statement. The Spanish international becomes Arsenal's first signing of the close season. Here to raise the levels. Kepa Arrizabalaga is a Gunner. — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 1, 2025 Martin Zubimendi is also on the verge of arriving at the Emirates from Real Sociedad, while talks are at an advanced stage for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. "We are really happy to have Kepa joining us," said Arteta. "He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win. "Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tennis: Top seed Sinner eases into Wimbledon second round - Omni sports
Top seed Jannik Sinner eased into the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, brushing aside fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets. Unfazed by the searing heat, Sinner barely broke sweat in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 victory lasting just one hour and 48 minutes on Court One. "I'm very happy to come back here to such a special place for me," Sinner said. "Playing an Italian is very unfortunate but one has to go through and luckily it was me." Sinner last week insisted his surprise decision to part with two of his coaching staff on the eve of Wimbledon would not affect his bid to win the tournament for the first time. He opted to move on from Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, his trainer and physiotherapist, as he looks for a new direction following his painful French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz. The pair had been employed by Sinner since September 2024, helping him retain the Australian Open crown in January and reach the Roland Garros showpiece in June. Asked if the decision might jeopardise his Wimbledon challenge over the next fortnight, Sinner was adamant it would be beneficial, with coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill still on his staff. On the evidence of his dominant display against Nardi the world number one, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May, will be just fine regardless of the coaching shake-up. "We worked a lot after Halle (grass-court tournament) on the serve and in important moments I felt I was serving very well," Sinner said. "First matches are never easy, so I'm very happy with the performance. It's a new tournament, new challenges. "If you don't enjoy to play on these courts, I don't know where you will enjoy. I will try to keep going." Sinner has won three of the past six Grand Slams, but the 23-year-old blew a two-set lead and wasted three match points as Alcaraz staged a comeback for the ages to win the French Open final. Sinner has failed to reach the Wimbledon final in his four visits, with a last-four appearance in 2023 ranking as his best effort. The Italian's Wimbledon preparations were also dented by a shock last-16 defeat against Alexander Bublik at Halle. Playing world number 95 Nardi for the first time, Sinner had little trouble dispatching the 21-year-old in his first Grand Slam match since that bitter defeat at Roland Garros. Sinner recently released a duet titled Polvere e Gloria, which means Dust and Glory, with renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli. The Italian will hope he continues hitting all the right notes in his Wimbledon title bid. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
