Climate change is rapidly transforming the global environment, and soccer — the world’s most popular sport — is not immune. The traditional timing of major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, typically held in the summer months of June and July, is increasingly being questioned. Rising global temperatures are creating dangerous conditions for both players and fans, forcing FIFA to confront an urgent and uncomfortable reality.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States offered a chilling — or rather scorching — preview of what the future may hold. In Philadelphia, players struggled through sweltering conditions that pushed heat indices well above safe thresholds. Palmeiras’ Vitor Roque was seen cooling down in a mist zone after being substituted, a clear visual of just how oppressive the environment had become. Despite measures like extra water breaks and shaded benches, several players reported symptoms consistent with heat exhaustion.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have increased by approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, and are on track to rise even further unless emissions are dramatically reduced. Urban heat island effects further exacerbate this during major events, especially in cities with limited green cover. Scientists from The Lancet Countdown warn that continued scheduling of summer tournaments could result in a sharp rise in heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations during matches.
FIFA has taken initial steps to address extreme heat by implementing hydration breaks, modifying match schedules, and requiring venues to offer shaded rest areas. However, critics argue these measures are superficial and reactive rather than proactive. Players’ unions and health experts are calling for a fundamental reassessment of tournament scheduling rather than temporary workarounds.
Moving major tournaments to cooler months like November or March presents significant logistical and financial challenges. Club leagues around the world operate on tightly packed schedules, and a winter World Cup could cause disruption across Europe, South America, and beyond. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar — held in November and December — disrupted league play for months, prompting backlash from clubs and broadcasters alike. Nonetheless, player safety may eventually outweigh traditional calendar concerns.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Several of the host cities — particularly in Texas and southern California — are known for oppressive summer heat. Likewise, the 2030 tournament is set to involve countries like Morocco and Spain, where summer temperatures regularly surpass 35°C. Without significant change, these tournaments may prove unplayable under current schedules.
Player unions, such as FIFPRO, are increasing their advocacy for climate-related protections. Many players are using their platforms to speak out, highlighting the mental and physical toll of playing under extreme conditions. Climate activists, too, are pressuring FIFA to take a leadership role in modeling sustainable practices. They argue that FIFA must do more than symbolic gestures — it must lead the transformation of the global sports calendar in light of climate urgency.
One of the greatest obstacles to changing the World Cup schedule lies in the economic ecosystem that supports global football. Broadcasters, advertisers, and sponsors prefer the traditional summer slot for its consistency and alignment with vacation periods. A winter tournament not only challenges viewer habits but also increases costs for travel, logistics, and venue management. Nonetheless, experts argue that these costs pale in comparison to the long-term health risks and reputational damage of holding games in life-threatening heat.
Some stadiums, particularly those constructed for recent international tournaments, incorporate advanced climate control systems. Qatar’s 2022 venues featured state-of-the-art cooling technology that kept field-level temperatures tolerable. However, such infrastructure is extremely expensive and energy-intensive. A more sustainable solution might involve architectural changes, green roofing, and renewable-powered mist systems. FIFA must begin integrating climate adaptation into its stadium requirements if it hopes to keep the game both safe and sustainable.
FIFA’s responsibility transcends logistics and finance — it includes an ethical dimension. As the governing body of the world’s most beloved sport, FIFA wields immense influence. How it chooses to respond to climate change will not only affect the health of athletes but will also set a precedent for other global sports organizations. Fans, players, and communities are watching closely to see whether FIFA will rise to the occasion or fall short under pressure.
Soccer, like all aspects of human life, is being reshaped by climate change. As global temperatures rise, the costs of inaction are becoming too great to ignore. FIFA must recognize that holding the World Cup in extreme heat is no longer viable. Whether through rescheduling, infrastructure improvements, or broader environmental policies, change is no longer optional — it is imperative. The beautiful game deserves a future where safety and sustainability go hand in hand.
Banner image: Palmeiras’ Vitor Roque sits on the side of the pitch in a cooling mist after being substituted during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Palmeiras and Botafogo in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Read the original version at Mongabay.
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