)
FIFA faces mounting pressure to adjust the 2026 World Cup schedule amid warnings from experts and player unions about risk that could endanger players, fans, and officials.
FIFA is under growing pressure to revise its plans for the 2026 Men's World Cup amid mounting concerns over extreme heat conditions that could compromise player safety, disrupt matches, and jeopardize the health of fans and officials.
The tournament, set to be staged across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is facing serious scrutiny following the scorching conditions witnessed during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., which many experts now consider a grim preview of what could lie ahead.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
)
11:48 - 28.06.2025
'She Showed That I Should Have Stayed Longer' – Usain Bolt Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Usain Bolt paid a touching tribute to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, admitting her enduring greatness made him feel he retired too soon.
Warning Signs From Club World Cup
)
Temperatures during the recent Club World Cup soared to dangerous levels, with New York City recording a record June high of 39°C (102°F) on June 24.
According to reports, several individuals were hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses, and coaches such as Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca and Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac described training and matches as "impossible" and "like a sauna."
The MetLife Stadium, which is set to host the 2026 World Cup final, offers little in terms of shelter from the heat, intensifying concerns.
One of the most urgent calls for change comes from Professor Mike Tipton of Portsmouth University, an expert in how extreme temperatures affect the human body.
)
10:41 - 28.06.2025
Kishane Thompson: Why Jamaican Sprinter is Unimpressed Despite Clocking Fastest Time Since 2015
Despite becoming the sixth-fastest man in the world, Kishane Thompson believes he has more to give.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he recommended a 9 a.m. kick-off for the final to minimize heat stress.
“I'd move it to an air-conditioned stadium with a roof, and preferably to a cooler time of year," Tipton said, before adding, “But we're already stuck with this, so the only thing you can do is go to a cooler time of day.”
Tipton emphasized that the risks extend well beyond elite players. Match officials and fans, many of whom may not be physically prepared for prolonged heat exposure, are also in danger.
In extreme cases, he warned, FIFA may be forced to alter the structure of matches altogether, potentially introducing quarters instead of traditional halves.
)
09:40 - 28.06.2025
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Moved by Usain Bolt's Support in Her Final Race on Jamaican Soil
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce expressed heartfelt gratitude for Usain Bolt's support during her farewell race on Jamaican soil.
A Heat Crisis Looming Over the Tournament
Meteorologists and climate scientists warn that the 2026 tournament could be the hottest World Cup ever held.
The triple-hosted format means games will be played in a range of climates, but stadiums in Miami, Monterrey, and other southern cities are deemed especially risky due to their exposure and lack of modern cooling infrastructure.
Six venues have been flagged by FIFPro as posing "extremely high-risk" for heat stress during afternoon kick-offs.
Even historically cooler cities like New York are now vulnerable to prolonged heatwaves exacerbated by climate change.
)
21:42 - 27.06.2025
Top 7 Most Influential Female Athletes in 2025
These influential female athletes are not only dominating their sports in 2025 but also using their platforms to inspire change and redefine what is possible for women globally.
Multiple Club World Cup matches were interrupted due to lightning, adding a new layer of unpredictability to tournament scheduling.
FIFA has maintained that “player health is the top priority,” citing measures such as in-game cooling breaks, hydration stations for fans, increased substitutions, and extended rest days.
However, the governing body faces criticism for its continued ties to fossil fuel sponsors and for expanding the tournament to 48 teams, which many argue only deepens its climate footprint.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)